10.05.2024 – Farewell to the Sea: My Final Tale of Maritime Marvels

Today marks the closing chapter of a journey—a journey filled with wonder, adventure, and the boundless beauty of the ocean. As I sit down to pen my final blog entry for Lobosonda, I find myself reflecting on the countless magical moments that have graced these pages—the encounters with extraordinary creatures, the breathtaking sights, and the shared sense of awe and wonder that has connected us all.

On this momentous day, our voyage into the azure expanse of the Atlantic Ocean unfolded like a grand finale—a symphony of marine marvels that left us spellbound and humbled by the wonders of the deep. Among the stars of our final maritime adventure were the playful Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), the charismatic Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), the elegant Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), the spirited Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), and the enigmatic Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus).

As we embarked upon our journey, the ocean welcomed us with open arms, revealing its treasures in a dazzling display of marine life. The Atlantic spotted dolphins danced through the waves, their sleek bodies gliding effortlessly through the water with grace and agility. The Bottlenose dolphins followed suit, their playful antics bringing smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts.

But it was the sight of the Striped dolphins that truly took our breath away—a sight to behold as they raced alongside our vessel, their distinctive markings shimmering in the sunlight like ribbons of silver. And then, in a moment of pure magic, they came closer than ever before, breaching and leaping with exuberance—a sight I had never seen and one that will forever be etched in my memory.

As the day unfolded, the ocean continued to reveal its secrets, with the Common dolphins and Risso’s dolphins making appearances that left us in awe of their beauty and resilience. And when the Risso’s dolphins came close to the boat, breaching in a display of power and grace, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and reverence for these magnificent creatures—a feeling that will stay with me long after this final journey comes to an end.

And so, as the sun begins to set on this final chapter of my journey with Lobosonda, I find myself filled with gratitude—for the opportunity to share these maritime adventures with all of you, for the lessons learned, and for the memories that will forever remain etched in my heart.

It has been an absolute pleasure to have all of you reading our maritime adventures. Although I won’t be reporting through here anymore, I hope we all keep discovering this blue world with eyes of respect and wonder. It was a great time working here, and I take all what I learnt with me and all the amazing sightings forever in my heart.

Fair winds and following seas, dear readers. Until we meet again, may your adventures be as boundless as the ocean itself.

By Camila Dávila

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

Stenella

09:30  Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Striped dolphins

13:30 Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins