My packing day became my travel day. It was like coming home, felt very familiar. Bill was supposed to join me in San Pedro Sula for the final leg but was delayed one day. AKR had evacuated all guests because of Felix's original path. It turns out Felix had other plans and went south. So, I had the place to myself for the day and night!
I connected with Eldon late in the afternoon and joined the trainers for their 3:30 pm session. Mrs. Beasley and Carmella both have new calves! Mrs.
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Osgood Cay
Rita has a new calf and Gracie is due any day! Osgood is off shore of the airport and SSE of the port where the cruise ships dock.AKR owns a portion of the cay and set up a day-stop for short-duration visitors. The sea pool is good-sized and Rita, her calf, Gracie, Fiona, Jack and Mr. French zoomed around frolicking like always.
Gracie is due to deliver any day and Rita's calf is about a week older than Mrs B's calf. Very robust and feisty.
A slightly quieter dolphin trip
Today’s trip departed the dock at 15:48. We first saw dolphins again in slightly deeper water than usual. We had three water entries, but the dolphins were moving so quickly that the only positive IDs I have (before reviewing the video) are Niecey (#48) and un-named #43. I’m also pretty sure that Cerra (#38) was there, but I’ll have to confirm that with video clips. While we were swimming in about 75 feet of water, there was a school (several dozen) of a fish I did not recognize.
DCP RIMS program 2007
Our final field season for this year begins tonight! Mother Nature was smiling on us this week … or maybe it was Father Neptune? Hurricane Felix moved to the south and once landfall was made, downgraded to a force one storm. There is likely still much rain and wind, but the storm is much less than previously expected. This means that our “on-off-on again” trip is a go.
We have six passengers joining us on Saturday for this season’s ecotour to Roatan. We look forward to reconnecting with the staff and dolphins.
Dolphins, dolphins everywhere
Today’s dolphin trip was very busy. It was a group of at least 30 dolphins, scattered & traveling. We saw Finn (#09), Romeo (#10), Tina (#14), Lumpy (#17), Split Jaw (#22), White Blotch (#29), Lil’ Jess (#35), Swoosh (#36), Cerra (#38), Billy (#64) and un-named #25, 84, 85 and 87. We even observed a group of calves & juveniles playing with what looked like a sea cucumber. We were in & out of the water several times because the group kept moving, but I was able to record about 30 minutes of video.
An exciting day of video logging!
Today I spent a lot of time logging video – so typing is a bit difficult for my little eyeballs! But, it was worth it because I confirmed dolphin ID #85, who had only been tentatively added to the catalog. I was also able to give another animal #88!! Both are young juveniles, one male (88), one female (85). Of course, there is always more video to do, but that’s what tomorrow (and the rest of the week) is for. Until then,
Data morning, fun afternoon and dolphin-talk evening
This morning I worked on data so that I could spend a few hours in the afternoon playing like a tourist. We headed to honeymoon harbor, a great spot just south of Bimini. I’ve been here many times before, but I have either been on the only boat in the area, or at most, one of four. Today there were, I’m not sure…well, actually I’m not sure I can count that high, there were that many boats! It was crazy! But very fun.
A busy, non dolphin day
I cannot believe I really just wrote September when typing the date. How can that be? It has been a wonderful summer – and hurricane free for Bimini so far (fingers crossed). The island is very busy; Labor Day weekend & good boating weather are a great combination for local hotels & marinas. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that will transfer to busy dolphin trips, but since there is much other work to be done, it is okay. Yesterday I said goodbye to my visitors from Dolphin Encounters.
Ecoutours 2008
A trip to South Bimini
This morning we headed to South Bimini to explore the new nature trail at Bimini Sands Resort. This trail is still in the development stages, but we were very impressed with the developers’ decision to preserve a very noteworthy section of land. When the trail is completed, there will be educational signs throughout, informing guests of local flora & fauna. If you are ever on Bimini, definitely go check it out! It is an amazing contrast to the ocean… Next, we bicycled to the northern portion of North Bimini.
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