02.09.2018 – “Bom domingo”
September 11, 2018
04.09.2018 – Search and find
September 13, 2018
When I watch these wonderful dolphins glide elegantly through the water, I sometimes catch myself dreaming of what it would be like to dive into their blue world forever. A life as a dolphin, that would be fine (at least I think so)! Going around in groups, performing wild jumps, gliding down the sun’s rays … oh dear, I can envision that quite well. But then reality catches up with me, because unfortunately I am not made for life in the sea. Therefore it would take a few “small” physical changes. The oceanic life places special physiological demands on the marine life. Not that I’m the first one to go through such a development. 🙂
As land-living mammals slowly developed back into the sea, several physical adjustments took place. The fore limbs became flippers. With the process of the retrograde metamorphism of the back extremities a fluke was created, which acts as a perfect “jet propulsion”. For stability in the water, a dorsal fin developed. But beware, some marine mammals get along well without them. In order to ensure a perfect glide through the sea without frictional resistance, the warm fur had to go. Speed can be existential in this habitat, because the prey definitely can not be eaten voluntarily. But it is cold in the sea, so a large subcutaneous fatty tissue had to be produced. With the change of the respiration system, the organism adapted to long, long dives. And that was it, almost! A few small physiological processes were still needed to make the body work well even in the deepest depths.
Just enjoy the pictures of the dolphins’ dream world from today … look into the beautiful eyes of these animals, feel how your friend’s flipper touches you, hear the cheers of the people on board … dive into into the blue and swim between the sky and the sea … for a moment EVERYTHING is possible … let us dream together! 🙂
Maybe you are curious now, which animals inspired me to this wonderful daydream? Yes, exactly my favorite, best, greatest Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis)! For me, the permanent immersion in their world will remain a dream, but to watch them from the surface is always WONDERful and full of wonders!
But the sea today was full of many other WONDERS … Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and a Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) were seen on our tours today. How thankful we can be for it!!
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:00 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Sperm whales
Stenella
09:00 Atlantic Spotted dolphins (snorkeling)
12:00 Striped dolphins, Sperm whales, Sei whale, Loggerhead turtle
