17.08.2017 – Stripy and speckled
August 25, 2017
19.08.2017 – Little european sister of Hawaii
August 27, 2017
No clouds and the fog was not obscured in today’s vision. The blue sky above Madeira got reflected in a flat ocean surface. The sight into the deep was like through a mirror, crystal clear. It was a mid summer day or with other words, a truly Azores anticylone day.
Also several Loggerhead turtles benefited and were enjoying a sunbath and one turtle was especially unafraid and remained calm, even when our Zodiac approached (motors off). Was the turtle perhaps sleeping? It´s complete head was anyhow under water. When the sun (UV radiation) is drying their carapace, the benefit is that the annoying alga, barnacles and other organisms living on the carapace, dry out and die. Altogether there are 7 species of marine turtles, and 5 of them can be seen in Madeira. Theoretically. However 99,9 % of the turtles around Madeira are Loggerheads (Caretta caretta).
On all our trips we saw “our” faithful friends, Atlantic spotted dolphins. Because of the clear view underwater, their “spots” were especially pretty today.
by Astrid Haas
Sightings of the day:
Stenella
09.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Snorkeling trip)
15.30: Atlantic spotted dolphins and Loggerhead turtles
18.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Snorkeling trip)
Ribeira Brava
17.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins
