The mid Atlantic Ocean is the realm of the congruently named Atlantic flying fish. Even in the choppy seas they were very abundant during the whole morning, probably taking advantage of the abundant patches of Sargassum. This seaweed offers shelter to smaller organisms that otherwise would have a hard time surviving in the middle of the ocean. Small fish thrive on these organisms and bigger fish eat smaller fish and so goes the food chain until even the highest predators find their sustenance out here.
We observed no less than four different species of flying fish today—the knowledge on them being so scant that even putting a common name to them is not easy. Birds also take advantage of these microhabitats formed around the seaweed, finding places to rest and feed. Although not very numerous, we sighted today some interesting ones like the Cape Verde storm petrel, recently upgraded to its current species status. Little is known about this endemic breeder of the Cape Verde Islands other than that it probably disperses to the tropical waters we are currently sailing.
Inside and outside, National Geographic Explorer became a real classroom today. With activities ranging from the arts to the sciences we covered a vast array of interesting topics. Alyssa gave us an introduction on the pelagic camouflage of fish, a very useful adaptation if you want to survive where there is close to nothing where to hide. The mudroom functioned as an art studio and under the guidance of Danelle where painted fishes of all colours came to exist. On a quite windy flying deck (good thing we are in the doldrums…), Jim tutored a workshop explaining the basics of celestial navigation and the use of the sextant, which should come in handy should the officers need some help of new proficient navigators!
During the afternoon, the hotel department prepared a special tea served in the laundry room, an open invitation to a hardly visited part of the Explorer where several crew work really hard to make our life very easy and confortable during the trip. Later on and to finish the afternoon with a touch of class, Peter’s beautiful interpretations on the piano and Roddy’s selection of music called everyone to the lounge for another round of the by now highly competitive music quiz!
