Our traditional fishing boat Ribeira Brava, as well as Stenella, went to a slightly moving sea today. Despite the white foam caps, our spotter discovered marine mammals for us. The Blainville Beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) were shy. On Ribeira Brava, our traditional fishing boat we could see them appear a few times from a great distance. The quaint fellows, who look as if they come from a different time long ago, plunged down into the depths. Then there was the contrast program: curious Atlantic Spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) approached Ribeira Brava and spent a sociable time with us. They were completely relaxed today. It also has to be rest. At the end there were energetic Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). This shy dolphin species can be recognized from a distance due to its surface behavior. They surf just below the surface, hardly show their bodies and the spray splashes on both sides. Their frequent changes of direction and classic, flat jumps were also in their repertoire today.
We had a great time at the sea!
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
10:00 Blainville Beaked whales, Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins
Stenella
10:00 Atlantic Spotted dolphins
15:00 Blainville Beaked whales, Atlantic Spotted dolphins