07.12.2018 – Return to start

Only a few of the many interesting marine animals stand as “special guests” on our passport. A sweet representative of this guest list is the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), we met this morning and she was truly admired by all. The sea turtle’s home is the sea! It swims thousands of miles through the oceans, but their survival is firmly linked to the land, because there, the female’s return to the oviposition. A male, on the other hand, will never put it’s flipper on land again. Interestingly enough, the turtle lady returns after possibly two Atlantic crossings and many, many years to her birthplace. Nature is wonderful, nature is impressive! Luck was with us and a wild troop of Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), who prefer our waters in winter, made a quick stop near the boat even though, they were actually busy with other things. Whether it was after a long time of absence, the welcoming of nimble Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba)? To our delight, both species were in the same area. A large school of Striped dolphins took a closer look at our guests today. What active, beautiful animals!

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Common dolphins, Striped dolphins

Stenella

10:00 Common dolphins, Striped dolphins, Loggerhead Turtle