Rendezvous with ‘Earthwatch’ dolphin/whale research group

We went ashore to Lynard and following the suggestion of one of the partiers at Little Harbor, followed a path to the ocean, where lots of people had done beach art from trash that had washed up onto the beach. One installation was called One Shoe Cay; another: Fisher. Doug left his own mark by putting together an art piece that was really cool and also one that stood out from the rest. This part of Lynard Cay is very beautiful and interesting.

Around 10:30 am, we sailed to Marsh Harbor, picked up a rental car at 3 pm and drove to Sandy Point, after leaving EcoAdventurer anchored out in the harbor with friends – Jack and Judy watching her. We left our dinghy with their boat, Tenex, which was at Harbor View Marina nearby. Jack said he would check our anchor for us twice a day – morning and night to make sure she was okay. We stopped along the way to Sandy Point, looking for the special Bahamian Parrots that nest underground in caves; but didn’t see any.

We got to Oasias (our hotel) and after checking in and carrying our bags to the room; we walked across the street to the dolphin/whale research center, which doubled as accommodations for the EarthWatch participants as well as the researchers. Dr. Diane Claridge and Charlotte Dunn live there full time as it is their home. They welcomed us with open arms and said we could eat all of our meals with them, including dinner tonight, which Charlotte had already invited us to have with them.

There were five participants in the EarthWatch group: Mark, 39, from Holland; Catalin, 26, from Hungary (although she is now a nanny in England); Ruth, about 45, from Kansas; Alie, 19, from Massachusetts; and Don from Texas, who is 85 years old! They are quite a diverse group but also seem to get along well! Besides Diane and Charlotte, Kia and Stephanie (in their twenties) also live at the house and are part of the marine mammal study group. Edward, a high school student, lives nearby, and works part-time for the group.

Dinner was delicious – two of the Earthwatchers had the job of cooking for the night. After dinner, Diane gave a talk about the marine mammal survey with a slide show, which was an introduction to the whole group. She was waiting for us to be there to make the introduction.