Category Archives: Earth’s Amazing Creatures

An Earth Day Poem: Cool Critters

In honor of Earth Day, I have decided to share a poem that I wrote many years ago. It is a clear reflection of my early wonder and awe at the diversity of life. My brother Dan, who plays in a well-known Denver … Continue reading

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Calling All Whale-Lovers and Would-Be Scientists

People frequently tell me they have always loved animals and wish they had followed their dream of working with them. Many are also intrigued by science and would be thrilled to play even a small role in discovering something new. Well now there … Continue reading

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Nature is a Mother

A small group of kayakers paddled alongside the shores of the Osa Peninsula in Golfo Dulce, sunlight reflecting emerald rainforest on the cerulean sea. Oaring their way around a tip of land and into a serene bay, the threesome unexpectedly came … Continue reading

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Time to Celebrate!

Jump for joy! The impending Yellowfin tuna farm permitted for construction near the mouth of Golfo Dulce has been stopped! As Jorge would say, “Yipy!” In early November SETENA (Costa Rica’s Environmental Secretariat) took decisive action when it ended negotiations … Continue reading

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Do I Know You? Building a Foto-ID Catalog of Bottlenose Dolphins in Golfo Dulce

Most of you know I have been working toward identifying the Bottlenose dolphins (Turciops truncatus) inside Golfo Dulce. After my first round of research I was able to recognize about 40 individual dolphins, some of which can be seen in my 2010 report. … Continue reading

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GOLFO DULCE 2011, PART 4: And Her Eyes Sparkled with the Secret of It

Now the days float by in blues and teals and misty greys. I feel like Margaret Wise Brown’s black kitten, peering  from my seaward vessel in search of life’s secrets. What will we find today? Perhaps a little island. Although our … Continue reading

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Native Australia: Our First Trip Down Under

Kevin and I recently returned from Australia. During our two-week sojourn, we stayed along the eastern seaboard, first in Sydney, then Cairns, then Melbourne. We visited spectacular nature preserves, including the Daintree Rainforest and Phillip Island. We dove the Great Barrier Reef. … Continue reading

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Golfo Dulce data on OBIS SEAMAP

As you know, I recently attended the American Cetacean Society Conference in California. There Dr. Pat Halpin succinctly stated, “Effective marine spatial planning requires accurate, detailed and accessible information on marine life.”  Indeed, collecting and publishing such information was the exact goal of … Continue reading

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Jane Goodall: 40 Years in My Heart

Today I ordered a copy of Jane Goodall: 50 Years at Gombe, the newest offering in Ms. Goodall’s long line of profoundly important books. That’s nice—you may be thinking—but is this morsel of minutia worthy of a blog post? Yes. Jane … Continue reading

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Killer Whales Top Off a Killer Day

It’s cold. Despite the radiant orb hanging low, unobstructed by clouds, and the pretty waves of blue rhythmically lifting our boat, despite our smiling faces and the playful energy of the sea lions off our port side, all of which … Continue reading

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