En route to the Cape Verde Islands
In crossing the Tropic of Cancer, we have entered the tropical seas. One sign of this: the seawater temperature, measured at the engine cooling water intake, has passed 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). Another sign of the tropics: flying fish. These remarkable creatures, frightened by our ship or by predatory fish approaching from below, leave the watery realm to glide over the ocean on extended, enlarged pectoral fins. In tropical waters flying fish are important prey for seabirds, predatory fish, and dolphins. Perhaps it was a school of flying fish that brought Endeavour into proximity with a pod of dolphins this morning. As the approach of dolphins was announced we rushed to the foredeck. Soon we were hanging over the bow to watch these graceful mammals catch a ride from the pressure wave of the ship’s bow. We could clearly watch them leap from the water, the single round blowhole snapping open and shut as air filled their lungs, seemingly in an instant. But just what kind of dolphins were we watching? The Naturalists gathered to confer, but even after such superb views there was a notable lack of agreement. None of the species shown in our reference as occupying these waters seemed to provide a perfect match. Only when provided with the superb digital photo shown above could we say with confidence that they were Fraser’s Dolphins (according to the reference, heretofore known in the Atlantic only from the Caribbean side.) Technology 1, sight identification 0, field guide 0, Naturalists acquiring a dose of humility. The advance of technology makes it possible for our voyage on Endeavour to contribute to the understanding of the ocean and its occupants.
In crossing the Tropic of Cancer, we have entered the tropical seas. One sign of this: the seawater temperature, measured at the engine cooling water intake, has passed 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). Another sign of the tropics: flying fish. These remarkable creatures, frightened by our ship or by predatory fish approaching from below, leave the watery realm to glide over the ocean on extended, enlarged pectoral fins. In tropical waters flying fish are important prey for seabirds, predatory fish, and dolphins. Perhaps it was a school of flying fish that brought Endeavour into proximity with a pod of dolphins this morning. As the approach of dolphins was announced we rushed to the foredeck. Soon we were hanging over the bow to watch these graceful mammals catch a ride from the pressure wave of the ship’s bow. We could clearly watch them leap from the water, the single round blowhole snapping open and shut as air filled their lungs, seemingly in an instant. But just what kind of dolphins were we watching? The Naturalists gathered to confer, but even after such superb views there was a notable lack of agreement. None of the species shown in our reference as occupying these waters seemed to provide a perfect match. Only when provided with the superb digital photo shown above could we say with confidence that they were Fraser’s Dolphins (according to the reference, heretofore known in the Atlantic only from the Caribbean side.) Technology 1, sight identification 0, field guide 0, Naturalists acquiring a dose of humility. The advance of technology makes it possible for our voyage on Endeavour to contribute to the understanding of the ocean and its occupants.
