January 6 -- Dolphin Encounter day!

Reminder: click a photo to see the larger version.

Today was a very special day, one we had been looking forward to for quite a while. We found out about the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key (close to Marathon Key) from Rachel, one of Smoky's first models. He did some portfolio shots for her when she was 14 or 15, and she modeled for his classes at UT until she went away to college. Now she has graduated and works at the Dolphin Research Center as a photographer!

Smoky gets a kiss from Louie.

Smoky saw a Facebook posting of Rachel with one of the dolphins and that started it! When we decided to travel to the Keys, we knew we wanted to visit the Center, so we asked Rachel which of the visitor programs she would recommend. "The Dolphin Encounter," she said, enthusiastically, so we signed up!

We stopped by the DRC a couple of days ago just to get a feel for the facility and find out what to expect. The people who work at this facility -- in the check-in area, as trainers, as photographers -- are all so friendly and helpful. Best of all, each one we talked with that first day and today really care about the animals here. And they are doing a great job. It costs a lot of money to keep even one dolphin; there are about two dozen dolphins in residence, along with sea lions, birds, and some cats and iguanas! Some dolphins were born in the facility; others were rescued from oil spills or other situations that left them stranded and in need of a home. You can read more about the dolphins and the DRC at their website, http://www.dolphins.org/home.

Cayo had a kiss for Shann.

We arrived at the DRC today late morning so that we would have plenty of time to watch other programs and hear more about the dolphins. Our encounter was scheduled for 3 p.m. Smoky and I were among the first ones at the main lagoon waiting for our session to begin!

First we were assigned our dolphins -- Cayo and Louie -- and then we met our trainer, a young man who had come to the DRC right out of college as a trainer. He explained to us a little about how the session would go, emphasizing that the dolphins could choose to participate or not. The choice was theirs. Turning around, we realized that Rachel would be recording our adventure. The dolphin photos on this blog were all taken by Rachel! What a treat.

Smoky and Louie have a splash-off!

Cayo, an 8-year-old female who was born in the facility, is a bottlenose dolphin. Louie, her partner today, is also a bottlenose, who came to DRC as a rescue from the Exxon Gulf of Mexico oil spill. He was quite young when found after the spill. They estimate his age to be around 5 years. Most dolphins in the wild live 25 years or more, and at the center the oldest resident is in his 50s. So our two are just youngsters.

We had a great time interacting with our dolphins. Each encounter participant had a chance to give both dolphins the correct hand motions and words for specific actions, and we also had a dolphin pull. In our case, two of the other dolphins came over for our pull, since Cayo and Louie had taken a break! Taking turns, each participant swam away from the dock. Our trainer gave the dolphins a signal and they swam up, one on each side. We held onto the dorsal fin of each dolphin and enjoyed a fast ride around the training area! Smoky said this was probably the highlight of the encounter. But then again, he loved holding out his hand and having the dolphin swim slowly by so you could rub his back!

Reece and Santini provide the power; we enjoyed the ride!

Having a chance to interact with these curious, intelligent beings was incredible. Thank you Cayo, Louie, Reese, and Santini for this unforgetable experience.

Layton Trail, from Intercoastal Highway
to the Gulf of Mexico

Earlier today Smoky and I walked across the highway to a short trail through the mangroves. The Layton Trail is part of Long Key State Park. Smoky got inspired as we walked down the path and saw a lot of palmettos and other vegetation growing alongside the mangroves.

You can see some of his interpretations:

Palmetto leaves, by Smoky

Back in our room tonight, we are both tired and elated. What a day to remember!

--Shann