Dolphin high fives!

This summer I had a special encounter with some Peale’s dolphins that made all the frustration of this summer’s field season a whole lot better.

It was the perfect ending to a beautiful clear sunny day in the Corcovado. We went to Raul Marin in the Chucao to drop some friends off and on the way back managed to fit in two sampling stations, which we did in record time, because we now have the sampling routine down to a tee and because the sea was so calm: “como una taza de leche”, like a glass of milk. It was simply perfect working conditions.

Credit: Sebastian Yancovic

And on the way back, with a sun setting, as we left the Gulf behind and entered the channels, we came across a group of roughly 15 Peale’s dolphins celebrating the end of the day. There were energetic, vigorous and on for some bow riding. So I went up front and dangled off the side with my hand stretched out towards them. They were amazing to watch through the crystal clear and darkening waters of sun down. And so they weaved and flew into the air with incredible energy. They turned to one side and then to the other, making eye contact over and over again. I could see their pupils, the white of their eyes and their underbellies, and their sleek form through the grey waters of the austral channels. And then, to my outstretched hand, up they came! I felt the narrow firm edge of their dorsal fins and the perfectly smooth and solid wetness of their backs. 

The feeling of that touch and their immense grace still stays with me, such a wonderful end to a beautiful Melimoyu day.