06.08.2019 – From big to small, we loved it all

What an amazing day when the marine world is showing itself from its very best side. Such a variety, such a beauty, such a joy! The impressive list of our sightings today: Tropical whales (Balaenoptera edeni), Atlantic Spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), Rough- toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis), Sperm whales (Physeter marcrocephalus) and Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis).

Before our trips, I like to tell the guests that fortunately we do not drive into a zoo, into an aquarium but into nature! We do not have these animals under control and therefore everything we experience out there in our Blue Office, in the sea mammal’s living room, is a gift! The animals show, or sometimes do not, part of their lives, they let us participate. Nothing is forced !!! And is not that the absolutely enchanting beauty of these encounters? Is not that the great miracle?

Luckily, on the way to Atlantic Spotted dolphins, we spontaneously crossed ways with a tropical whale mother with her calf and we were allowed to accompany them for a while. Our small Spotted dolphins gave the whole day, on all tours, cause for pure joy. Our Striped dolphins behaved as always, reserved. But at such a moment you can see that nature can be so different, which can be seen in the different species of marine mammals, as well as in the different observation situations. One of the Sperm whales was curious and took a closer look at our boat, Stenella. Another of these huge Toothed whales showed us his impressive tail while diving. The beautiful Common dolphins showed us great leaps in the evening sun. The cute Rough-Toothed dolphins were sweet, cuddly, close and an absolute pleasure.

Now, when we are allowed to experience such a day as today, one can become aware of what a small piece of the puzzle we humans are in this enormously large, colorful, impressive, and wonderful image that we call the world. Gratitude must arise then and the desire to do our part to protect these animals as well as this amazing place we call our home but is as well home for such an variety of live. All our guests were today full of gratitude, full of awe! And you know, your amazement, your joy enriches our work on the sea again and again! For that I would like to thank all, all guests. And then, apart from all that special day with all it’s wonders, there was something else that touched me deeply! As our teen girls thank me, we also talk about such important things as petitions. These girls found it enormously important and that made me very, very happy !! I know today all the guests do their part to create win-win situation of gratitude and protection (petitions under: whale watching / marine conservation). Thank you very much!

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

13:30 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Rough-Toothed dolphins, Sperm whales

17:00 Rough-Toothed dolphins, Common dolphins

Stenella

09:00 Atlantic Spotted dolphins

12:00 Tropical whales, Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins, Sperm whales

15:30 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Rough-Tooted dolphins

18:00 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Rough-Toothed dolphins, Common dolphins