August 15, 2025

What a WILD end to the day! So many surprises! We headed way off shore and found two pods of common dolphin, both short- beaks and long- beaks spread out over a few miles, they were feeding and getting very playful in the wake! O our way home, it was lookin a bit dreary until we sighted a massive kelp paddy and decided to go check it out, on the way we sighted a 5-6 foot mako shark! It was super brave and let us hang out for a while as it circled the boat! If you look closely, you’ll see the sharks eye, gills and even some teeth! Right when e thought we’d make it back to shore without a large baleen whale – we saw a Grey whale!!! It was pretty dark but we saw a strong spout, a few surface breaths and a nice fluke before turning into the jetties!

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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