Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) feeding, surrounded by Cory´s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis)
Hello dearest Whale & Dolphin watchers!
Today on our morning tour we were invited to a big breakfast feast from a group of Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). As always they were in a good mood and we were able to see a lot of activity. Some individuals were headslapping to stun their prey before eating it. They were accompanied by a group of Cory´s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) who tried to take advantage of the banquet and grab some of the fish.
Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) mother and calf
In the further course of our journey our lookout found a group of Risso´s dolphins (Grampus griseus). The difference in behaviour compared to the Common dolphins became clear very quickly. They swam calmly on the surface and were socializing and cuddling. Among them were two very small calves, probably only a few days old, who received our full attention. The difference in age was clearly visible here, due to the different coloration of adults and the calves. The newborns are completely dark and grey, the adults have a lot of scars and a whitish color, especially in the head area.
Widely spread group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) migrating in east and south direction
After a nice encounter with the Risso´s we decided it was time to leave them and look what else the ocean had to offer us today. After moving almost to the east end of São Miguel we found some Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). It was a large group that spread out over a wide area. They were gathering in groups, meeting and separating over and over again. Some of them approached the boat and we were able to see how they were curiously looking at our boat and us. What they were thinking? We will never know… 😉
On our afternoon tour we also saw Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis).
