Research Field Notes: No 14

Notes from the field No. 14:

10/22/2014. Dolphin Boat Survey

Today’s survey extended from the Jupiter Inlet (N 260 56.624' W 800 03.805') down to the MacArthur State Park (N 26.83083 W-80.04556)

Water conditions: 0-2  Wind: n 0-5

Duration: 8:30 am-1:00 pm

Encounters: Today we experienced one long encounter (3 hours) that  involved an estimated 18 tursiops; which included 2 juveniles and one baby. Yes the same baby from last survey! 

The big group was split into three groups that mingled in and out of formation as we followed them. They initially were feeding and making us follow them in circles for an hour, but then settled down to rest and were milling about and traveling south; then north, then east, then west!! but at a very slow speeds. We witnessed several behaviors, chuffing, tails slaps, and breaching from a few feisty animals! Oh, and baby cuteness!

Crew notes: The wind and seas picked up to about 2 feet rolling swells. The boat could handle the sea state, however this particular boat today was very noisy and wouldn't go into gear easily, so Dr. Brunnick kept being thrown about when the captain (me) kept trying to change speeds! She is carrying large camera equipment and in combo with rough seas, we made the decision to go off the fins and head back home. The dolphins did not like the noise either and kept moving away form us. We got great ID shots though despite all the little issues.

Taras Oceanographic, the Palm Beach Dolphin Project and FAU Libraries welcomed a new intern to the crew today, Sarah LeMaire. She is coming to us from France and just received her master's degree from the U.K.

Other: we saw zero turtles and zero trash today, but we did see two sharks (species unknown)

Bonus: Here are some pictures of the intracoastal waterways boat ride on the way to the ocean survey.

Research Field Notes: No 13

Notes from the field No. 13:

10/1/2014. Dolphin Boat Survey

Today’s survey extended from the Jupiter Inlet (N 260 56.624' W 800 03.805') down to the Lake Worth Inlet [aka the Palm Beach Inlet] (N 260 46.300' W 800 03.500').

Water conditions: 0-2  Wind: W 0-5

Duration: 8:00 am-1:30 pm

Encounters: We had three encounters with an estimated 20-25 animals in total. The first group were feeding and giving us a run around. The second group was quick with an up and out of sight! No ID images were obtained for the second encounter. The third encounter (pictured above)....BABY!!! there was a group of 10-12 animals with newborn cutie. This group seemed to like us and allowed us to be a part of their group for a couple hours. They were traveling at a slow speed, crossing around and under us the entire time. Half way through the encounter, the adults, including mom were resting and stopped and milled around. Baby was being taken care of by a juvenile. They were very lively, the babysitter was having fun tossing the baby around a bit. But soon after mom did several large tail slaps. Everyone woke up and got back in line and started traveling south again. We didn't want to leave them, but we got 100s of photos and the rain started chasing us back to the docks.

Other: we saw two spinner sharks off in the distance and one shark (species unknown) swimming by the boat on the way back to the dock. We saw 4 turtles. Turtle season is slowing down. I am happy to report we saw zero trash this trip.

Crew notes: We had a new crew member joining us this week. Mandi. She is "on loan" from the neuroscience lab of Ken Dawson-Scully, here at FAU. Hopefully she will be joining us for many future trips.