azwhales
After 2 days not being able to go to the sea because of rough weather, today we found lots of surprises we didn’t expect. Just out of Ponta Delgada the surface was full of Portuguese man-o-wars because the south wind brought them.
In a few minutes, a pod of bottlenose dolphins appeared around us. The weather conditions were not the best but, on the way out to the east we were surfing the waves and we could not feel the wind but, on the way, back, yes and this was the reason why the afternoon tours were cancelled again. But in the morning our sightings were very good.
After our first sperm whales, we went to see some active Atlantic spotted dolphins socialising and bow riding. Some were leaping high and we could see them perfectly. Then we found another sperm whale juvenile and it showed us its majestical fluke just before going on a deep dive. Some boats got a quick look at some common dolphins on their way back to Ponta Delgada.
Another boat was listening to the sperm whales and found a whale carcass which will probably soon sink to the bottom and provide food for a whole ecosystem at the depths. Unfortunately, we couldn’t identify the species!
So, we managed to make the best out in these conditions and hopefully, the sea will be better tomorrow.
azwhales
Equipa de Biólogos da Futurismo
Sandrina Rodrigues
