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Writer's pictureAngie Gullan

November Dolphin Diary

Updated: Nov 30, 2021

Welcome to the home of Angie's Dolphin Diaries. Here you will find the in-water records of encounters had with the local Dolphins of Ponta during November 21 in the Reserva Marinha Parcial Ponta do Ouro.. Please scroll down to find your encountour date. We would like to say a heartfelt thanks for joining us on the Dolphin Boat in Ponta!


Without you we would not be able to do what we love most. Thank you for your support which helps us keep track of the local #DolphinsofPonta.

 

27 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour


Today found small pods on both our sunrise and midmorning Encountours.

At 6:45 we saw sub-adult female Jagger in the company of Gandalf and a couple of other youngsters. The pod was very distracted by something in-shore - possibly a school of fish, a manta, shark - whatever it was I could not see it, however judging from Gandalf posturing and rotating pectorals @00:54; something defiantly was up! Thank you Jens and family for joining us together with Morne!

27 November 2021 Midmorning Encountour Launch 2

Our second tour of the morning found us enjoying a snorkel on the shallow reef off Ponta Mamoli. It was here that we encountered some eagle rays in the crystal blue shallow waters. A small group of the local @dolphinsofp were observed heading south across the border - this time the hunt was on with one of the dolphins seen down below with what was left of a fish! Thank you to Claudia and Co for joining us together with Michaela!



 

21 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour

This morning our local @dolphinsof ponta were on a mission.

A small pod of bottlenose dolphins including Shiva together with Herme the humpback were observed heading south along some reef.


In-water we were engulfed in dolphin whistling @00:37, however the busy boys seemingly had more important things to deal with!


 

20 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour

This morning local lad Shiva @00:50 was observed off the point in the company of a young female who has a very distinctive lump on her tail stock together with a couple of other youngsters.


Slipping in we found ourselves in around 10 meters of water, just being able to make out the bottom below. The water visibility had dropped somewhat and there are many marine organisms floating around!


In-water the dolphins were behaving erratically and although they were keen to engage 02:30, something was distracting them and not too long afterwards did we discover what.


That grey shadow coming up from the bottom was indeed not a dolphin but a rather large shark - approaching fast to have a look! Needless to say one very load shout or shout I say scream found the surprise visitor bolt off in the other direction @03:19 in video.


Needless to say quite thrilling fro those of us that saw Mr Jonny!




Thank you to Tania, Monika and the rest of our guests for joining us this morning!


 

American International School Maputo

Both the weather and dolphin Gods smiled kindly on us today for the 10th graders from AISM!

We were treated with great dolphin encountours throughout the morning with multiple sightings of our resident bottlenose dolphins. Herme the Humpback dolphin was spotted in their company surfing on the second launch and then resting on the third!


Gala Gala Eco Lodge once more made the prefect presentation and accommodation space for this school tour and we look forward to welcoming AISM back on board next year!


Thank you to AISM and the students for joining us.


17 November 2021 3rd Encountour




17 November 2021 2nd Encountour



17 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour



 

13 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour


Although a little wet, windy and bumpy we headed off early bells in search of the local Dolphins of Ponta.

It was not long before we observed a band of boys in the surf south of Ponta Point! In-water it was not long before their curiosity got the better of them and they made their way towards us, out of the surf.


Today the boys were very accommodating as we found ourselves in the company of Gandalf @00:45, Shiva, Freddy and Pluto.


Thank you to our dolphin guests that joined us this morning to learn more about the resident dolphins


 

11 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour


When Dolfriends stop you right in your tracks and our volunteer is right in the mix of it @00:34.


It was interesting to note that the oldest of the males in this pod, Rob, Tik and Dylan did not display any aggression; this was left up to the younger males. 00:45. Right at the end it was Pluto, the son of Peewee who came back one last time to ensure there was no following the pod who were tightly grouped together.


Our second sighting was far gentler with a short bout of conscious interaction with three young bottlenose dolphins.


Thank you Alex and Stella for joining us this morning.


 

06 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour


A large pod of some 50 bottlenose dolphins were observed in the next bay.

The tightly grouped pod were milling in the coastal shallows and composed of mums babes, mums to be and a whole bunch of adult males including Elvis, Theo, Cholo, Viking and Wilson. Here the Humpback dolphin was in the mix too @01:30!

In-water it was clear that the silent pod was resting and no interaction would be had, given the open jaws shown to us by two adult males, that was the signal was clear ‘back off’ @01:35


It was so cool to see Herme again. The last time we had him visiting our area was in June!

Herme is now 15 years old and we can’t help but wonder about where he goes and who he hangs out with while away! Does he find some of his own kind down in South Africa, or maybe up north close to Maputo Bay - one thing is for certain, when he visits our area he is normally seen in the company of the local Bottlenose Dolphins of Ponta.


Thank you to our dolphin guests that joined us this morning to learn more about the resident dolphins.


 

01 November 2021 Sunrise Encountour


Beautiful calm seas greeted us this Monday morning. By 06:35 while traveling north, we observed a pod of some 20 bottlenose dolphins slowly traveling.


Slipping in we were greeted with great visibility and sociable dolfriends including some of our mums to be, Freya and SheShy whom I think may be with child the next time we encounter her.


Check out some pec petting - or should we say pec slapping @ 01:04

And a VERY pregnant SheyShy @ 04:40. Pause @ 04:54 to see her belly!!!!!


Thank you to Anya and her small group for joining us this morning on the dolphin boat.






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