15.06.2019 – Sea rescue and other enchanting moments

A gentle morning, a calm sea, very nice guests and incredible sightings made today’s trip something very special! While the Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were already in sight, Daniel, our skipper, first took care of a very special kind of sea rescue. A butterfly sat on the smooth surface, he seemed to be stuck there. Daniel fished this monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) successfully out of the sea and after a short break this beautiful animal fluttered towards the sky. When these butterflies migrate, they show an interesting flight behavior. With tail wind they sail at a height of about 100m in order to use the favorable winds. In head wind, however, they are true low-flyers, because low above the ground, the wind is the weakest. During their migrations, these butterflies also make “social flights”. These flight sequences in about 30m height consist of a gliding and fluttering around each other. What a joy this very special sea rescue was! 🙂

The Bottlenose dolphins were traveling in a small group. When they dived, they often showed their small flukes. They seemed to care about prey and themselves. The atmosphere was relaxed and peaceful. 🙂

The next highlight was not long to come. It was an encounter with a Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). But unlike usual behavior there was no quick descent. No! this marine reptile was really curious. Despite our attempts to push it away from the boat, it came again and again to the edge of the Stenella. Something must have had a magnetic attraction on this Loggerhead turtle. 🙂

On, we went to a small group of Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), who ventured a few approaches. What wonderful animals these specially drawn dolphins are! Real eye-catcher. 🙂

From our spotter we had already the information of a baleen whale …. and yes, we wanted to see that, of course. But, but on the way there, Atlantic Spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) crossed our way. These little dolphins, who took a close look at our boat, were of course very welcome. 🙂

And finally the Baleen whale was seen as well. What a tall, majestic creature which moved leisurely through the blue Atlantic Ocean. A few times he almost lifted the huge tail out of the water. On one photo you can see the gigantic tail lying on the water surface. What kind it was, it was still to determine what specie it was because we often see only back and fin and the identification is not always clear. It was a huge creature with a distinct dorsal fin, which speaks for a Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis). But even a Tropical whale Balaenoptera edeni) can sometimes be bigger and have a more pronounced dorsal fin. To be on the safe side, it is helpful in such cases to take a clear photo of the head area, since Sei whales have only one ridge in the middle, while Tropical whales have two more on each side. Here comes the resolution of the whale puzzle: it was to our big surprise a Tropical whale. Luckily, even after a tour, you can take a close look at the animals in the computer for a final identification. A good example, that nature, can not be squeezed into a scheme AND surprised us again and again 🙂

In the afternoon, the elegant, energetic Bottlenose dolphins and lively Atlantic Spotted dolphins enchanted our guests. 🙂

So today we had an extraordinary sea rescue and many, enchanting moments. We can gratefully appreciate these impressions, in our memory and certainly in all our hearts. Thank you to all involved, whether human or animal! 🙂

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins

15:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic Spotted dolphins

Stenella

09:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins, Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Tropical whale, Logerhead turtle, Monarch butterfly