I was part of team VIII out of X. The biologists have just time
enough to get us trained and useful, then we leave. From left to
right, there's Dan (Amy's husband), Amy, John (a volunteer from
Massachusetts), myself, and Cindy. Amy and Cindy were the
biologists doing the work on this project.
|
There are two stations used for land-based observation. This shows
Cindy and John on top of the watertower, which is a short walk from
the house, on the pennisula. Across the bay, to the left of where
Cindy's looking is Otumatu, the other observation station. First we
all stare through binoculars, like John's doing, to find a good group
of dolphins. Then Cindy (or Amy) spends at least a half an hour
staring through the theodolite, twisting dials to keep a fix on them.
One of the volunteers tracks the data on the computer while the other
keeps timings and watches for low flying pterodactyls.
|
This is the view from Otumatu looking back toward the pennisula
and toward the shore to the northwest. That day the dolphins were
smack dab in the middle of the two observation stations, about 6
kilometers away, a bit too far to track accurately.
|
Technically, this wasn't part of the research, but we saw it on
one of the research stations.
|
Here are a few shots of the boat that we spent many hours in, the
Punua Aihe. It was made in Kaikoura and serves very well. The
bow sits far enough above the water that the occupants don't get
splashed even when bouncing along on rough water.
|
Since there's almost no place to dock, most boats are hauled in and
out of the water every day. The larger ones, the swim-with-dolphins
boats and the fishing boats, get a little help.
|
The ramp into the water aims at a very narrow opening between lots
of rocks. This is the view just to the side.
|
I was part of team VIII out of X. The biologists have just time
enough to get us trained and useful, then we leave. From left to
right, there's Dan (Amy's husband), Amy, John (a volunteer from
Massachusetts), myself, and Cindy. Amy and Cindy were the
biologists doing the work on this project.
There are two stations used for land-based observation. This shows
Cindy and John on top of the watertower, which is a short walk from
the house, on the pennisula. Across the bay, to the left of where
Cindy's looking is Otumatu, the other observation station. First we
all stare through binoculars, like John's doing, to find a good group
of dolphins. Then Cindy (or Amy) spends at least a half an hour
staring through the theodolite, twisting dials to keep a fix on them.
One of the volunteers tracks the data on the computer while the other
keeps timings and watches for low flying pterodactyls.
This is the view from Otumatu looking back toward the pennisula
and toward the shore to the northwest. That day the dolphins were
smack dab in the middle of the two observation stations, about 6
kilometers away, a bit too far to track accurately.
Technically, this wasn't part of the research, but we saw it on
one of the research stations.
Here are a few shots of the boat that we spent many hours in, the
Punua Aihe. It was made in Kaikoura and serves very well. The
bow sits far enough above the water that the occupants don't get
splashed even when bouncing along on rough water.
Since there's almost no place to dock, most boats are hauled in and
out of the water every day. The larger ones, the swim-with-dolphins
boats and the fishing boats, get a little help.
The ramp into the water aims at a very narrow opening between lots
of rocks. This is the view just to the side.