28.04.2021 – Different triggers of feelings

What more do you like, a wild sea and calm dolphins or a calm sea and wild dolphins? Well, today we got the second and a calm dolphin, a bronze-colored whale and beautiful, dangerous sailors, namely the Portuguese man o’wars (Physalia physalis) on top. The sea was so smooth that the sky was reflected in it. A nice change from the last few days and great for a good photo effect.

Encounters with marine mammals trigger quite different feelings. I experience that with my guests and with me as well. On the one hand, it has to do with the behavior of the animals. If they move leisurely through the sea, a peaceful mood arises. Are they bubbly and lively, well, that brings joy of life. Sometimes the animals rest on the surface of the sea and their breathing can be heard clearly, which is definitely meditative.

But the different species of marine mammals also trigger different feelings. Our first observation was one Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), which approached the boat several times in its calm presence. The curiosity of this powerful animal about us, the visitors in its habitat, can trigger astonishment and calmness.

Afterwards, the mood changed rapidly. It got lively, exciting, vivid and maybe one or the other had a tingling sensation in their stomach. Who can trigger something like that? Well, the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) do, especially when they appear in a large group of 200 plus animals. It goes haywire and not only with the dolphins, but also with our guests, who also had to stay very active in order to be able to absorb the full lively power which encircled our front, back, left and right. Yes, here we are talking about pure joy of life, within the dolphins and our guests.

On the way back, a bronze-colored whale spotted us. This Blainville beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) was covered in a layer of algae, which gives it this hue. To be precise, it was a female that surprised us when she suddenly and completely unexpectedly emerged from her deep realm and calmly moved parallel to the boat on her way. Meeting a whale often fills me with awe and deep admiration. And how is it with you?

And even if it is very small, the Portuguese man o’war also aroused admiration for its graceful beauty.

It was truly a tour full of amazement, tranquility, pure joy, awe and admiration.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Blainville beaked whale, Portuguese man o’war