I am Ann Weaver. I am a bio-statistician by trade (if you like, visit my alter ego at GoodNaturedStatistics.com). I am an ethologist by profession and passion, with specialties in primatology and marine mammalogy. Locally, I am known as the Dolphin Lady of St Petersburg because I have studied dolphins living free at sea for 20 years. About every two weeks, I draw from my on-going study of free-ranging Florida bottlenose dolphins to post updates from the field. If you love animals or dolphins, or felt intrigued by the idea of being a field biologist, join us. Email me if you would like to receive a note when the site has an update (see Contact page).
I started this Sea Note blog
for
three reasons. One, the dolphins have shared fascinating knowledge with me that I believe is worth sharing. Two, for people who are thrilled to meet dolphins on a first-name basis, I am honored to make the introductions. Three, bottlenose dolphins live in coastal waters and need our protection! Relentless human development and activity along the coasts puts dolphins under tremendous pressure. They disappear as you read. The third reason for this blog is to gather animal and dolphin lovers together to talk about our favorite animals - to be ready to exert collective pressure when the dolphins need us.
With the devoted help of USCG Capt. John Heidemann, I have studied free-ranging bottlenose dolphin behavior from our small research boat since 2004 (in addition to four other seas in the world). I recognize 400 Florida dolphins by natural markings (see About Us page). Recognizing wild dolphins lets me track a wild dolphin’s personal life.
Like the individual strokes of a watercolor painting, these vibrant glimpses paint a fascinating picture of rich social lives and a sophisticated society at sea. Yet, dolphins at sea also struggle to face challenges that, in many ways, parallel our own human challenges: the individual doing all that he or she can to stay alive, find companionship and others to rely on, protect the young, avoid danger, and play by the rules or suffer the consequences.
The dolphins are untrained and live free at sea. We watch them like TV except that I observe them closely and document everything while Capt. John pilots our course. We do not feed, pet, or swim with them. Dolphins share the seas with sharks, which we call “Mack the Knife,” and encounters between them are reality. A disclaimer is that some stories may disturb young or sensitive readers. I provide blog updates from field work - Sea Notes - every two weeks.
DolphinsDigital.org:
Swing by the shore for a refreshing "endolphin" rush without tracking home all that sand!