Eco Tours, Everglades Fishing, Hunting Fl, iOutdoors Blog, Nature Adventures, Swim with Dolphins
Clean Water Is at Stake
When all is said and done in the long effort to improve the quality of the water flowing out of Lake Okeechobee, Federal District Judge Alan S. Gold may go down in history as the person who took the most concrete and decisive action.
The Judge ruled in Miami in April that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, after 20 years of ducking the issue, had to take action to enforce the Clean Water Act in South Florida. The judge also heaped criticism on the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for failing to limit phosphorus discharges into the Everglades.
Why and How?
It is high levels of phosphorus that causes cattails to take the place of saw grass and in the process fundamentally change the nature of the glades. Massive discharges of bad water down the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie River periodically damage the saltwater estuaries at Fort Myers and Stuart.
The EPA reported back to the judge in September with new rules. Since then some argue the new rules are not tough enough while others argue that they are too tough.
The EPA, Florida agencies and politicians have 15 months to find a reasonable compromise.
The final decision will have a big impact on the long-term prospects for the game fish population that needs clean water in order to thrive.
iOutdoors Blog, Nature Adventures, Swim with Dolphins
Swim with our Sea Dwelling Friends
Dolphin watching is one thing, but swimming with dolphins is a whole new realm. Swimming with dolphins enables humans to interact first hand with the dolphins in their natural habitat, the water.
Where to Go
There are many places that offer swimming with dolphin activities, usually oceanariums and aquariums. It is important to go to certified areas only, and not to just go out in the open water to swim with any dolphin passing by. Though it is not clear cut, there are restrictions when it comes to swimming with dolphins out in the open water. Besides, the added advantage of swimming with these lovely creatures in oceanariums or aquariums is the presence of a trainer or keeper to keep the activity safe between the two parties. Swimming with dolphins in these confined places will also get any interested individual their money’s worth.
Who Can Swim with Dolphins
Not everybody can swim with dolphins. In order to be allowed to swim with these sea creatures, individuals need to be at least six years old and must be comfortable in water that is three feet deep. Children wishing to swim with dolphins who are under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
What to Expect
Swimming with dolphins not only involves pure swimming but other activities as well. These activities include:
- the swirl, where dolphins swim in concentric circles around swimmers;
- the kiss, where the dolphin puckers their snout to receive a kiss;
- the hug, where the dolphin attempts to hug a swimmer with their pectoral fins;
- the footpush, where two dolphins push the swimmer from the feet;
- the jump, where dolphins are coaxed into jumping into the air and performing tricks;
- the dance, where the dolphin dances while the swimmer holds their pectoral fins;
- the singing, where dolphins emit their characteristic sounds and;
- the signaling, where swimmers are taught basic signals for dolphins to follow.
iOutdoors Blog, Nature Adventures, Swim with Dolphins
The Dolphin Whisperer
Dolphins are one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean. These creatures are closely related to porpoises, manatees, and whales, and they come in over forty different species of dolphins. These playful mammals are often found shallower seas that are within those with continental shelves.
Dolphins are also known to be playful and intelligent, which has caught the attention of many humans. This ability to cross boundaries and somewhat communicate with humans through their actions has become one of the fascinating traits that dolphins possess. Not only that but the interaction amongst the dolphins, as well as their playful antics, has made dolphins one of the most memorable water mammals known to man.
Dolphin Communication
Since dolphins do not talk as humans do, humans have to rely on interpretations of the dolphins actions and behavior. This is not a simple task to do, but it can be fun trying to learn how to properly interpret a dolphin. These people can consider themselves, a Dolphin Whisperer.
Perhaps the best way of interpreting dolphins is to spend time with them. This can be done through scuba diving or swimming with the pods. A pod is a group of approximately twelve dolphins. This is a way of surviving for the group as they travel across the wide-open sea. Since dolphins are not harmful, they are known to often playfully interact with humans instead of making plans to devour them. To know whether a dolphin is no longer shy with you, extend your hand and as soon as it allows you to pet it, you will then have gained another friend. Common playful acts dolphins do is to stand up on their hind fins or do leaps on the water.
Communication between dolphins is done through the use of whistles, clicks, and other vocalizations. This mode of communication has fascinated scientists for a long time, and often they have tried to breach into this mode of communication, and have come up with promising results. They are seen as complex auditory signals that may mean something for other dolphins. These sounds are often used to tell other dolphins about danger or about the presence of food. These may also be used as mating calls.
