05.09.2017 – Evening performance with fish

In general we never know how the excursions at sea will run. Thats an interesting aspect of our work. Each trip is unique, everything is possible. Its an open situation.

Today we  had again, a day of superlatives.

We started with a wonderful encounter between snorkeling guests and atlantic spotted dolphins in the big blue. At the midday tour besides Atlantic spotted dolphins, also bottlenose dolphins and rough toothed dolphins showed up.

Later in the afternoon there was a slight change of species composition. We saw common dolphins, atlantic spotted dolphins and striped dolphins. Also a baleen whale (tropical whale) was crossing our way. All guests were excited and left the boat with a high level of endolphins in their blood (=Endorphine plus dolphin).

Then again at our evening trips we were lucky and had great observations. A tropical whale, a spermwhale, atlantic spotted dolphins and rough toothed dolphins showed up. Those ones had a special surprise for the guests on the Ribeira Brava.

It was already close to sunset – the sky was rose coloured – when we (Carlos) found a small group of rough tooth dolphins. On board, everyone was at the rail and was observing the scenery like spectators in a theatre. Firstly the rough toothed moved around our boat, surfing from time to time a wave. Then one dolphin come along side, showing us a silvery big fish (mackrel) in his beak. Several times the dolphin lift its head and showed us his catch. A magnificent performance. Did he wanted to impress us or a conspecific with this? Or was it meant as a gift to someone?

Many thanks to our spotter Carlos for leading us to this great and magical sightings. You are unbeatable. What would we do without your eagle-eyes and your knowledge about the species.

by Astrid Haas

Sightings of the day:

Stenella

09.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins (snorkeling trip)

12.00: Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Roughtooth dolphins

15.30: Common dolphins, Spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins, Tropical whale

18.00: Roughtooth dolphins, Tropical whale, Spermwhale, Atlantic spotted dolphins

Ribeira Brava

17.00: Tropical whale, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Roughtooth dolphins

SaveSave