The Dolphin Gazette, 20.3, is here! It is jammed packed with exciting announcements and heartfelt reflections. From our Pay It Forward for Conservation initiative (Viva Vaquita!) to strengthening relationships with students and collaborators, we’re sure you’ll enjoy this issue. And for all you college-kids (and parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings and friends of college kids), be sure to check out the details on our Dec/Jan field course to RIMS. Applications and deposits are coming in – secure your space now!
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Tag: older content
Snorkeling, Bottlenose and Threatening Skies
Tuesday was the Hunter and Manhattan College group’s last day on Bimini. For their final boat trip we departed from the dock just after 1400, a tad earlier than usual, to do a bit of snorkeling before commencing the search for dolphins. Our snorkel stop was at Bimini Road (known by some as the Road to Atlantis, or some variation of this name). After the students had explored the site, they returned to the boat and we began our search.
Our heads are spinning from all the dolphins!
Sunday was another beautiful day on Bimini. Kel and Nicole had planned to have a morning meeting but it was rescheduled so instead, they took care of some other island business (we can’t resist trying to help The Stray Dogs of Bimini!). By 1500 Nicole was ready to head out with the Hunter/Manhattan College group once again. Only 15 minutes into the trip, Dr.
A bottlenose, some spotteds and a beautiful sunset!
Saturday morning found DCP researchers in the office and most of the students exploring the mangroves. At 1500, Nicole and the university group set off on their dolphin search. The ocean was as calm and flat as a lake! It was so flat that it made it much easier to spot the lone bottlenose dolphin that crossed our path less than 20 minutes into our ride. We observed this dolphin from the boat for a few minutes before continuing on our way.
For this trip, Dr.
Third Time’s the Charm
Thursday was a day off the boat for DCP. We used the day to catch up on some data processing and to prepare for some upcoming projects. Friday began with more office work. At 1500 both of us got to join Bimini Adventures’ Hunter/Manhattan Colleges group again! It was clear from the beginning that our ride would be much easier–the wind was almost nonexistent! With this in mind, we had high hopes for our dolphin sightings.
Déjà vu
Well, on Wednesday Nicole and Kel were both able to join Bimini Adventures’ boat trip, and everyone was hopeful we there would calmer seas and more dolphins. The day started out strong, with a large school of spotted eagle rays not far from the harbor entrance. Everyone got a good look at these graceful critters from the boat.
Better luck next time!
Tuesday was a rather uneventful day for us on Bimini. We started the day with the usual office work–writing Monday’s field report, photo ID and other such tasks. By 1500 we were ready to climb aboard the boat to head out with Dr. Kaplan, Dr. M and their students once more. Unfortunately, the wind still had not let up and as we got further into our usual route the ride became rougher and rougher. This being the group’s third day on the water the students seemed to have gotten used to the bumping and jostling.
The wind can’t keep us from finding dolphins!
Monday morning began with a visit to the students for a class on photo identification. Kel presented an in-depth lecture about the methods and uses of photo ID in marine mammal research. This was followed up by hands-on practice so the students could develop their skills using images of some of the Bimini spotted dolphins they will be encountering this week. It was great to watch how quickly they caught on to the intricacies of the task.
With the hopes that the day would be less windy than Sunday, we left the dock just after 1500.
Wind + dolphins makes for a good day!
We are happy to welcome Dr. Daisy Kaplan back to Bimini! This time, she is accompanied by Dr. M and students from Hunter College and Manhattan College. Just after lunch, Kel visiting the group and gave a crash course in still photograph for photo-ID.
Let me tell you something…
Wednesday and Thursday were land-based days for me, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t all about dolphins. On Wednesday I had the pleasure of meeting with the Bimini Adventures group for a casual discussion on DCP, dolphins and my specific observations here off Bimini. The group had fantastic questions; chatting with tourists always re-energizes me for more data collection and analysis! Plus, the group was immensely supportive of DCP – thank you!
Thursday began with a younger crowd: the first group of students from Chicago City Day School was aboard the Shedd Aquarium’s Coral Reef II.
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