Tag: older content

Wednesday’s boat trip was about as quick and easy as they come. We headed out with Bimini Undersea at about 1600. At 1705, we had our first of two sightings. White Blotch (#29) and un-named #43 were both riding the bow with two other adults and a young juvenile. I’m hoping I got some video footage, albeit it brief, of the juvenile who I suspect is White Blotch’s 2004 calf. She’ll be turning 5 years old later this summer and shouldn’t have too much more time with mom.

Thursday morning, Kel described this past winter’s Bimini manatee. We learned about the steps that were taken in the community and between the US and the Bahamas. We also watched a video of the capture day. We are having a hard time imagining a 1200 pound animal on the bow of our research bow! During photo-ID we confirmed Split Jaw (#22), Swoosh (#36), Niecey (#48), Nemo (#76), Leslie (#80), un-named #43 and 84.This afternoon’s boat trip was a break from dolphins. It was our first time on the boat early in the afternoon and the sun is much stronger.

Our morning was photo-ID filled! We had a ton of pictures to work through and by lunch we were able to confirm 7 individuals. Split Jaw (#22), White Blotch (#29), Niecey (#48), Billy (#64), Leslie (#80) and un-named #78 and 84. Niecey was ID’s once we looked at the underwater video data, a twist since we normally start with still photos.

Our morning

Monday morning’s discussion was all about eco-tourism – pros, cons and challenges. After experiencing interactions with wild dolphins first hand, for most us, our opinions did not change, but were strengthened. Research in collaboration with eco-tourism is important and should inform the managing bodies. An overall passion for protecting the marine environment was evident and this protection should be the priority with tourism second. The conversation then took a broader turn as we discussed our personal choices and those of our towns, universities, etc.

Sunday morning’s discussion covered more on group living in dolphins. We discussed coefficients of associations, the role of kinship and trends among first time dolphin mothers. During our photo-ID lab, we ID’d Tina (#14), Cleopatra (#41), Nemo (#76) and un-named #25 from yesterday’s trip. There are still three animals that need to be identified from our photographs.

Saturday morning’s class discussion on was on DCP’s video/acoustic system, the MVA.  We’d seen Kel with it on the boat, but today we headed to the beach and each of us got a chance to “use” the MVA. On the beach, it was very heavy – and it is wide! It was less intimidating in the water, but challenging. We protected the hydrophones while the other class members pretended to be dolphins (there was even some “pec rubbing” observed!). After a short “free swim” at the beach, it was time for photo-ID.

Friday began with a discussion of group living in cetaceans, including the use of pectoral fin contact in dolphins. We were able to review some of our photographs and made a positive ID of un-named #84. ID #84 has a crescent shape scar on the left side of her body. She also has some white scarring on her right side and now has scattered spots (she is a juvenile).  We were also able to add a new dolphin to DCP’s photo-ID catalog! This animal will be given the ID #91.

During this morning’s discussion (Thursday) on behavioral ethograms, we dispelled misconceptions that an ethogram is a complicated machine…We also watched some of the surface video that was collected on Wednesday.On today’s dolphin survey we saw two patches of rain in the distance, each of which had a developing water spout! For most of us, it was the first we’d ever seen. Early on, we passed an ecotour boat that was observing a group of dolphins. In an attempt not to crowd the dolphins, our boat kept its distance.

After our morinng discussions on research methods and photo-ID work, we headed to the boat. We met two British tourists and because of their addition, we completed our dolphin survey on a larger vessel. We saw our first group of spotted dolphins at 16:29. There were 12 animals in this group, including Billy (#64) and Nemo (#76). We were able to get in the water this group and observe some mating behavior! These behaviors were among three juveniles, so is considered socio-sexual play.