Showy triggerfish

Today the EarthWatchers, Doug and I and Diane and Charlotte took the 21’ inflatable out close to Rocky Point, which is an important feeding ground for dolphins to look for dolphins and whales. It was a little to rough in the ocean and so left Rocky Point and went to Gorda Cay, which is now a Disney cruise ship destination, Disney calls Castaways.

We snorkeled on a wreck that Diane says has been there for 20 years. It is in such shallow water and the water was so clean that looking at the wreck and fish was as if we were looking directly in the sunlight above the water. It was amazing!! And, I saw my first Triggerfish – gorgeous! We took quite a few photos at this spot and some good ones of the Triggerfish, who seemed to be showing off. There apparently is usually a nurse-shark that sleeps here, but she wasn’t here today.

After snorkeling, we ate the packed lunch we brought and went back home – pounding most of the way. I had to stand up to keep comfortable. Doug and I were on a tight schedule and so we rinsed off; checked out of the hotel, said our goodbyes; and drove back to Marsh Harbor. We got to the rental car place just in time and also got into Harbor View Marina before they locked their doors to pick up our dinghy.

The funny thing happened when we ran into Jack (who was taking care of EcoAdventurer) – he didn’t remember us!! He had told us before that he had alzheimers – but he said he was on some miracle medicine. Anyway, first he didn’t remember us and then he said he hadn’t checked on our boat!! This was after he insisted that we let him to do…amazing. But, luckily, she was fine. We were tired so we went to Curly Tails for dinner – kind of expensive but tasty.

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.