UPDATES

Not as exciting as Baja and whales, but here are the Cape Lookout Studies updates this month.

Bonehenge.
The skull is still in the jacuzzi releasing grease - this whale had an amazing amount of grease. Two huge limbs from the oak tree just above the jacuzzi almost smashed the skull in a snow storm. Pierre-Henry Fontaine from Quebec visited Bonehenge (and our sperm whale) and offered sage advice. Starting with the tail, we've begun fabricating intervertebral discs, and we're drilling through vertebrae and mounting them on 3/8" stainless allthread. Dominic Brown, from Channel 12,ran a news story about Bonehenge, which portrayed his, and our, excitement about this project.

Central NC Marine Mammal Strandings.
At the annual NC Marine Mammal Stranding Network Conference in February, Keith requested an entire adult right whale skeleton should one happen to come ashore at a convenient location and time. Keith also agreed to develop a form to be used by anyone for formally requesting specimens, data, samples, photos, analysis etc. from stranded marine mammals in NC.
Vicky Thayer will present North Carolina delphinid stranding diversity from 1992-2009 at the SEAMAMMS Conference March 26-28 in Virginia Beach.

Our web sites and blog, have been wonderfully busy.

Bottlenose dolphin photo ID
Even with really tough weather conditions, we got out 5 days, had 11 sightings and have dorsal fin photos of 85 dolphins. We continue to see Manteo and Virginia Beach dolphins plus a few freeze brands.

The 'Protect Wild Dolphin' License Plate quarterly check was $3,180.This money really helps support our research. If you live in NC, please consider joining our group of dolphin plate people.
Click here for license plate information.

NC Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program
Two little used bins were removed from Emerald Isle beaches. One new outdoor bin went to Sarah Falkowski of Outer banks Center for Wildlife Education for use in Currituck County. One outdoor bin and one indoor box went to Allen Fitz of Network for Endangered Sea Turtles for use in Dare County.

Keith & Wild Life in Baja, Mexico

Keith & wildlife in Baja, Mexico.Keith joined a friend and colleague on a whale, and other wild- life, observation journey. Here are some of his pictures, there will more pictures and text soon.
These gray whale pictures are from Magdelena Bay, Baja, Mexico. On the bottom, are the gray whale's blow holes and above on top, a gray whale right next to the boat and above center, gray whale flukes as whale goes into a dive.









Keith holding up rock and a blue booby - you can probably tell which is which.






Below, sea lions and a paper nautilus shell.





Blue whale mom and calf.










Pelican practicing full moon diving.
So, that's it for now.
All pictures by Keith Rittmaster - Please do not copy without permission.

One More Monofilament Recylcing Bin Placed

Keith delivered a new outdoor Monofilament Recycling Bin to Allen Fitz(and his friend Johnny) of the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles. The bin will be located in northern Dare County. Mr. Fitz will install the bin and monitor it.

All ocean life thanks you.