August 12, 2025

This afternoon on the pacific there were dolphins to be found everywhere! We could see birds heading north the entire time we ere out to sea. After we made it past the drop off to the south west, we decided to rely on the birds knowing where the good stuff was to be found. Eventually we caught up with THOUSANDS of birds feeding with Long-beaked common dolphins. The dolphins though feeding, made ample time to head on over to our vessel and plat on the bow on the pressure wave from the vessel. We saw nearly 300 common dolphins on this trip. Some very new babies still showing signs of fetal folds, the vertical lines that newborns come out of the womb with from being folded up tight inside of mom.

Naturalist, Alison

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Olivia Trahan

Olivia is a senior pursuing her B.S. in Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and brings extensive experience in marine mammal research, stranding response and science communication/outreach. Olivia works with the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program back home, assisting in responses and necropsies of stranded marine mammals along the NC coast. Additionally, she is completing her thesis in the Ramirez Population & Food Web Ecology Lab, characterizing loggerhead sea turtle growth rates through aging their bones (like counting growth rings on a tree)! Most recently, she served as a Soundwatch Intern at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, WA, where she patrolled both U.S. and Canadian waters aboard a small research vessel, collecting data on vessel activity and killer whale behavior, conducting public outreach on and off the water, and educating boaters on how to reduce disturbances to the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales. In her free time, Olivia enjoys wildlife photography, herping, crocheting, birding, hiking, drawing, and playing guitar. She is excited to bring her energy, field experience, and passion for conservation to the SDWW team as both Naturalist and Deckhand!
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