or Free Fish???

In this tribute to the Flying Fish, I thought I would share some fun facts with you: Flying fish can be seen jumping out of warm ocean waters worldwide. Their streamlined torpedo shape helps them gather enough underwater speed to break the surface, and their large, wing-like pectoral fins get them airborne. Flying Fish use this remarkable gliding ability to escape predators, of which they have many. Their pursuers include mackerel, tuna, swordfish, marlin, and other larger fish. For their sustenance, flying fish feed on a variety of foods, including plankton.There are about 40 known species of flying fish. (Here you will see their size relative to a tea cup)


Beyond their useful pectoral fins, all have unevenly forked tails, with the lower lobe longer than the upper lobe. Many species have enlarged pelvic fins as well and are known as four-winged flying fish.The process of taking flight, or gliding, begins by gaining great velocity underwater, about 37 miles (60 kilometers) per hour. Angling upward, the four-winged flying fish breaks the surface and begins to taxi by rapidly beating its tail while it is still beneath the surface. It then takes to the air, sometimes reaching heights over 4 feet (1.2 meters) and gliding long distances, up to 655 feet (200 meters). Once it nears the surface again, it can flap its tail and taxi without fully returning to the water. Capable of continuing its flight in such a manner, flying fish have been recorded stretching out their flights with consecutive glides spanning distances up to 1,312 feet (400 meters). Flying fish are attracted to light, like a number of sea creatures, and fishermen take advantage of this with substantial results. Canoes, filled with enough water to sustain fish, but not enough to allow them to propel themselves out, are affixed with a luring light at night to capture flying fish by the dozens. There is currently no protection status on these animals. (Thank you National Geographic)

(After all we have seen and learned, Ginger and I have decided to start an International Society for the Protection of Flying Fish)

Wildlife at Sea

Jane "Spuds" of Ireland, Alainie (Boston represent!) & Sharon "Snuggles" of North Carolina

It's a Dolphin!

It's a Killah Whale!!!

Knit One, Purl One

During this week of Nursing Orientation, we have been learning to knit and crochet. Once we master the art of yarn craft, we hope to share these skills with our patients as they recover.

Satellite

Thanks to the conveniences of modern technology, we are able to track our location with GPS, talk on the telephone and surf the internet, all from somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. How cool is that? In the words of Dave Matthews:

Satellite in my eyes

Like a diamond in the sky

How I wonder

Satellite strung from the moon

And the world your balloon

Peeping Tom for the mother station

The Glorious Heavens

Tonight we had the privilege of stargazing out on "The Bridge", the highest viewing point above Deck 8 on the ship, right in front of the command center.

Through binoculars I was able to gaze at the moon and Orion's belt. Truly a breathtaking sight being out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with no land in sight, the starry heavens above and the light of the moon reflecting upon the water.

Training Begins

Today nursing orientation began with a discussion about the culture of Benin and a tour of the patient wards. Note the donated hand knit teddy bears awaiting the patients of Benin. Today we learned how to make friendship bracelets to share this craft with our patients as they recover. Tomorrow our orientation continues with crocheting and knitting lessons! If only nursing orientations in the U.S. were like this!

A Day of Rest

Another beautiful sunset over the Atlantic

Our second day at sea with nothing but ocean in every direction and no sight of land. A very restful day, reading, reflecting and lounging on the deck. This morning during breakfast, I saw a pod of dolphins jumping in and out of the waves.