In this Deep Dive, Eric Angel Ramos discusses the clever tactics dolphins have come up with to dine on prey wherever they are! He dives a bit deeper into the mud ring feeding of dolphins in the Caribbean and Florida. Eric is a PhD candidate at The Graduate Center, City University of New York and scientist at FINS. He loves science and animals. And coffee and dogs.
Tag: older content
DCP Dolphin Lesson: How to Draw a Beluga!
In this Dolphin Lesson, DCP’s favorite artist Raina shows viewers how to draw a beluga! With beluga facts thrown in along the way, this lesson is fun for all ages.
You can simply watch along, or grab paper and a pencil/pen or a drawing tablet to try your hand at drawing a beluga!
Dolphin Lessons are geared toward ages 6-13, but everyone is welcome.
Curious about belugas? Check out some past DCP Deep Dives (geared toward older viewers).
TGIF – Sharks trump Dolphins … for some of us!
While I, John, Dave, Chris, and Louise went to Bailey’s Key for our last data observation session this morning, Ron, Don, Jill & Bill went in search of sharks! They did a morning dive looking for sharks (and found some) with a second, follow up dive cleaning the coral tree PVC mounts as a contribution to coral restoration this morning.
Dolphins, Diving, and lots of underwater fun!
We had almost everyone join us for the morning dolphin data collection observations. We rode to Baileys Key in the water taxi before many other guests were up … you can see we are all smiles and ready to greet the day! There was some sea grass play this morning – among the dolphins and with a few observers around the lagoon periphery! Louise did her first session as data recorder (with Ron).
Two Data Collection Sessions! Dolphins galore!
My morning session had Champ, Lenca, and Stan enamored of my fins. They socialized with each other also. There were some chases and lots of whistles and other vocalizations. The programs were light at Bailey’s Key this morning, so I was able to get a second observation session in at about 9:30 AM. And, we could say Happy Birthday to Bailey! We learned from Meredith that she’s 16 today. The second session was just adult females and younger calves. It was delightful to see Gracie, Calli, Elli, and Alita with and without calves nearby.
Diving, Dolphins, and Shrimp!
For most of us, the morning dawned early and bright. For a few of us, morning was a tad later as they prepared for the morning dive or snorkel. John, Chris, and Dave joined me this morning for my observations and data collection at Bailey’s Key. The main lagoon was deceptively quiet with little surface activity.
Nursing, Wrestling, Sea-Grass Play!
This morning’s data collection session was about 30 minutes with exceptionally good underwater visibility! Thankfully, only a few dolphins showed serious interest in my fins today with Sandy and Tank spending their curiosity on my fins during the first part of the session and Stan and Champ wrapping up the session with a full-on wiggle session near my fins! Calli, Poli and Elli (see cover photo) each invited me to play with sea grass … tempting as their gestures were, I resisted and watched them play with the sea grass with each other in a sort of keep-away game.
Data Collection Session #36 for 2021!
I was able to collect 40 minutes of video this morning of dolphins that seemed really happy to see me! They all had smiles! Ok, that’s really anthropomorphic … but it did seem like several of the young dolphins had missed my fins as play toys! There were LOTS of whistles and bubble streams and much chasing and play behavior. Our group met me at the water taxi at 6:30 and I was in the water about 20 minutes later.
Travel Day – Everyone made it!
We all made it to Roatan without a hitch, even though a few connections in Atlanta were tight! I am usually on one of the early arrival flights but today, everyone else arrived before Ron, Bill, John, and me! It felt like coming home to AKR and RIMS. It was delightful to see everyone – staff and DCP participants alike! I even got to see several of the trainers this afternoon; the dolphins will wait until tomorrow morning as I had to put the array together.
All our Bags are Packed!
And we’re ready to go! Leaving on a jet plane … sound familiar?
Yes, it’s a song. But, also, we’re on our way back to Anthony’s Key Resort on Roatan for another week! Ron and Bill came to Florida to fly with John and me. Baloo is eyeing our bags … maybe wondering if she’s coming to…? Dixie is not having any of it. Nicole is here and Dixie knows she’ll have a wonderful time with Aunt Nicole while we are in the field. (Thank you, Dr. Nicole!)
We depart tomorrow morning for our flight from Miami to Roatan.
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