Packing, packing, packing I have made my way down to Connecticut to help with the preparations for DCP’s 2005 field season. Last summer I spent a month on Bimini learning the ropes and honing my skills as a dolphin researcher, and this year I will be out on Mikura putting these skills to use. All of the camera equipment and supplies need to be carefully packed and prepared for the long journey to Japan. Kathleen has had many years experience with this process, so everything is streamlined.
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DCP
Introducing one of DCP’s field associates to Mikura and her dolphins It’s another year and we are set to leave for Japan on 18 May to continue our research on the dolphins around Mikura Island. This year will be slightly different in that I (Kathleen) am only staying in Japan for about 2 weeks, and on Mikura for about 8 days. I will have my first summer in 15 years actually at home, in Connecticut.
The final dolphin trip of the season
Sea conditions were a bit rough today, but the dolphin trip went out anyway. We were greeted by a group of 9 bottlenose dolphins just outside the harbor. We recognized several of them by distinct markings on their dorsal fins. They were completely uninterested in us though, so after watching them from the boat for about ten minutes, we continued north in search of spotteds. Much to our dismay, however, they were no where to be found. But, on the way into the harbor, the same group of bottlenose was still hanging out, crater feeding.
Traveling Home
Departure at 05:30 and arrival at 23:30 – a very very long day but with good thoughts and memories We gathered more than 13 hours of video and stereo audio data. We gathered about 8 hours of echolocation data and we gathered more than 3 hours of surface audio – i.e., data recorded with an omni-directional hydrophone and a surface audio recorder – during this field season. Definitely a successful season which will keep us busy into the cold months of winter.
GRACIE DELIVERS HER CALF, TOO!
In the wee AM hours of Friday, Gracie delivers her son to join the group. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better! With one volunteer, I arrived at the dock about a half hour early to gauge the group behavior and to consult with the trainer on site to determine if we could do a session. We were greeted with a smile and a “Guess What?!” By the trainer’s smile, we then knew that Gracie had had her calf too. Both moms and calves seemed healthy and fine.
What? Dolphins?
So, moving day went well (we’ll be staying with a friend for a few days) and the dolphin trip went even better! We were able to gather another 30 minutes of video data of some of our “regular” dolphins. In the group today were #14, #48 and her calf #77 and #56 and possibly her new calf! We hadn’t expected #56 to have another calf already, but it looks like it! There was also a bottlenose hanging out with the group.
A NEW CALF!!
During the early AM underwater session – Carmella presents her new calf! You may remember from early field reports that both Carmella and Gracie were pregnant. From ultrasound readings they were predicted to deliver their calves in mid-late October. Well, Carmella delivered this morning! I always do a few minute view at the surface prior to entering the water for a session. Nothing seemed amiss this morning – no additional critters seen. Everything seemed “normal” when I was filming underwater – no extra vocalizations, no posturing or odd behaviors.
Packing Up
We woke up on the early side today to start some serious cleaning and taking care of last minute things. Tomorrow we will do our last batch of laundry and take care of things such as the phone and electricity bills.
We then spent the afternoon with the fourth, fifth and sixth graders at the Gateway school.
Absolutely Icky Underwater Visibility!
Icky is an all-purpose “technical” term for less than 2 m vis with suspended silt We completed the morning session but it is likely that I recorded about 20 min of dolphins in view from a 60 min session. I have gotten my wish – the dolphins mostly ignore me and go about their own business of socializing, playing, resting, etc. The only drawback to this is when the underwater visibility is not good, then it feels like I am swimming in pea soup and can only see when the dolphins are close to me.
Team #2
Following the swim, we conduct a morning data collection session The smiles almost say it all! Team #2 thoroughly enjoyed their swim with the RIMS dolphins and being underwater brought their sea-grass game to a new level. Geoff and Ron spent a bit of time closer to the sea floor nudging sand and sea grass and they each had a couple of pointy rostrums next to them. Even Mrs. B brought her calf close enough for a few folks to get a good look at him. Mr.