http://takesaftermom.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] takesaftermom.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2010-06-08 12:52 pm
Entry tags:

Maritime Mammals, Tuesday, Period 6

Summer had handwavily let her students know to meet at the docks for today's class. She was happy to see that the weather was cooperating and it would be sunny out on the water.

"Today, we're going to experience a dolphin and whale watching trip," Summer explained, gesturing to the boat waiting for them. "We should hopefully get to see some bottlenose dolphins and maybe a whale or tow along the way."

Summer might have been as excited for this as (hopefully) her students were. She gestured for the kids to get on the boat and put on their life jackets. Safety first. Even Summer was wearing one and she knew first hand how they could save someone's life.

As soon as everyone's jackets were checked and secure, Summer checked the boat's controls and set off.

"Now, we might see up to ten dolphins in a pod or we could see a single dolphin at any one time. It depends on the dolphins themselves. Though they are social creatures, they've been known to travel long distances alone."

Summer kept the boat at a slow and steady pace as they made their way further from shore. "Dolphins search for prey primarily using echolocation, which is similar to sonar. They emit clicking sounds and listen for the return echo to determine the location and shape of nearby items, including potential prey," she continued. "Bottlenose dolphins also use sound for communication, including squeaks and whistles emitted from the blowhole and sounds emitted through body language, such as leaping from the water and slapping their tails on the water surface. You might see something like that if I get a wake going and the dolphins show up to ride it out."

Having said that, Summer picked up the pace of the boat a bit more to get to open water.

[OCD coming up.]

Re: Dolphins!

[identity profile] theotherpeter.livejournal.com 2010-06-08 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Someone who speaks dolphin," Peter said. "And on this island, I'm guessing that's actually a high probability. Though I don't imagine dolphins have much to say other than praising the tastiness of fish."
therewaslife: (↑ | laugh)

Re: Dolphins!

[personal profile] therewaslife 2010-06-08 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Speaking to animals is a bit past my talent range," Bod said, snickering quietly. "I've talked to ghosts but not dolphins. Of course, now I'd like to talk to dolphins and have them talk back."

Re: Dolphins!

[identity profile] theotherpeter.livejournal.com 2010-06-08 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ghosts," Peter repeated, getting a little distracted from the topic at hand. "As in... deceased individuals."

His tone was skeptical but... soft.
therewaslife: (→ | what now?)

Re: Dolphins!

[personal profile] therewaslife 2010-06-08 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Indeed," Bod said, glancing over at Peter. "I was raised by ghosts, actually. A graveyard of them."

Re: Dolphins!

[identity profile] theotherpeter.livejournal.com 2010-06-08 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"It take a village," Peter said, not even sure how to react. "So how's that working out for you?"
therewaslife: (→ | those memories)

Re: Dolphins!

[personal profile] therewaslife 2010-06-08 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've managed quite well, I think," he replied, nodding. "I'm not out late, haunting people or slinking around haunted houses."

Re: Dolphins!

[identity profile] theotherpeter.livejournal.com 2010-06-08 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Which is always the worry, coming from a home lacking in vital signs," Peter said, somewhat amazed at his ability to joke about this. "I'm glad you turned out okay."
therewaslife: (→ | gaze)

Re: Dolphins!

[personal profile] therewaslife 2010-06-08 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thank you, I am too," Bod said, smiling a bit at the joke. "They were rather good caretakers, the ghosts. What other boy can learn about long battles from people who were actually there?"

Re: Dolphins!

[identity profile] theotherpeter.livejournal.com 2010-06-08 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Time travelers," Peter said. "Psychics, maybe." He shrugged. "You now, I can hardly believe I just said that seriously."
therewaslife: (→ | questioning)

Re: Dolphins!

[personal profile] therewaslife 2010-06-08 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"And honestly, I'm probably not going to be the strangest person you meet," Bod advised. "Some people make being raised by ghosts look like an everyday thing."

Re: Dolphins!

[identity profile] theotherpeter.livejournal.com 2010-06-08 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Peter nodded. "I'm starting to like the silent dolphins more and more," he remarked.