Tag: older content

I must commend this group of eco-tour passengers for being in such good spirits after such a windy & rainy week.  It seems that our Monday dolphin swim is a faint memory, but I do hope that everyone enjoyed it.  We occupied our time by watching dolphin videos and today, visiting the South Bimini Biological Field Station (aka SharkLab).  I think everyone really enjoyed the insightful tour & I gratefully thank the folks over there for taking the time to show us around.  We learned all about the species found in Bimini, the impact of large development &

After a short lunch break, it was time for the thing everyone has been waiting for:  the dolphin trip!  We left the dock shortly after 1500, stopping at the Bimini Road (aka Atlantis) for a quick snorkel.  Everyone did a great job and is very comfortable in the water.  Soon, we were in the dolphin grounds, but keeping an eye on some nasty squall systems in the distance.  Our captain first spotted a group of mating spotteds (about 18 animals).  They were busy doing their thing and moving too quickly for us to enter the water. 

Is a dolphin a mammal or a fish?  And, while we are at it, what is exactly is a shark?  (Find the link to FAQ – this means Frequently Asked Questions.  Then you’re looking for the link to Dolphin FAQs.)  What is the difference between a whale and a dolphin?  And what about a porpoise? (Stay on the Dolphin FAQ page.  The question, “Is that a dolphin or a whale?” will lead you to a Dolphin Pod episode –

Warning #2: No one was hurt.A small plane unfortunately crashed off the coast of Bimini on Monday afternoon.  Fortunately, the only person onboard, the pilot, was unharmed.  So, with the news of his safety, there was a subtle dash to the new snorkel sight – before the salvage company takes it away.  The plane is in astonishingly good shape, which makes it all look a bit eerie. 

So, Bulldogs, my name is Kelly Melillo.  I thought that we could start with a sort of internet scavenger hunt to help you get to know me, DCP, our dolphins and our website.  Read below – work together & share your answers with your teachers:What does DCP stand for?  Can you find the What is DCP link?  We study 3 different species (types) of dolphins in 3 different countries – do you know what they are?  When we study wild dolphins away from the United States, do we chase or touch them? 

Yesterday was a day-mostly-off & I headed out for a quick boat ride with friends.  The seas were a bit rough, but we were surprised by a group of 5 bottlenose dolphin right outside of the Bimini harbor!  We observed them from the boat for a bit, while I had the chance to exercise DCP’s new digital SLR camera.  This camera allows me to capture still images of bottlenose dorsal fins as they break the surface of the water, which in turns allows me to track these dolphins over time through photo-identification. 

Saturday’s impromptu dolphin trip was interesting, to say the very least.  We left the dock (with DCP research associate Darcie Blanding with us!) shortly before 1630, watching the skies fill with dark clouds.  We saw dolphins relatively quickly and had an amazing underwater observation.  Present were Tina (#14), Split Jaw (#22), Niecey (#48, pictured and possibly with her calf), un-named #78 and #25 with swollen mammaries and a small calf!  This is likely #25’s first calf, so it was very exciting for all of us.