Florida Keys dolphins move through really shallow water
This morning when we first started encountering groups the tide was low. In the Lower Florida Keys, since the average depth of water is about a meter, many areas become exposed during low tide (see photo below). The first group we encountered moved through a pass so shallow that we had to stop watching the animals and start working to avoid running aground. Dolphins in the keys regularly move in shallow waters and can sometimes be spotted easily because in the shallows the dorsal fins stay above the water between surfacing for air.
Meet the newest member of the Key West population
The third group we encountered included what appeared to be 2 adults mud plume feeding and a larger calf born sometime this year. We immediately recognized one of the adults to be Splitfin. It was not until about 10 min into the follow that we got a really nice surprise. Hidden on the other side of Splitfin was a brand new calf no more than a day or two old! We had seen Splitfin previously this season and had no idea she was pregnant and about to give birth. This was a super end to our work this year!
Splitfin and her calf |