Glad to see that the photo's are appearing in the gallery now, especially ones from zoos!
I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say this was your first spotted dolphin, how many other life-ticks did you get whilst on your American journey?
It was indeed a whole new species (and genus) for me. Across the trip I saw 21 full new mammal species and 8 new subspecies (of perhaps varying validity!) of species I'd seen before. I don't have figures for birds or herps yet, but there were quite a few from those two groups too (about half of the 90-or-so wild birds were full new species, for one - and only a handful had I seen wild before). And of course, some nice bugs and some very big fishy firsts!
It was indeed a whole new species (and genus) for me. Across the trip I saw 21 full new mammal species and 8 new subspecies (of perhaps varying validity!) of species I'd seen before. I don't have figures for birds or herps yet, but there were quite a few from those two groups too (about half of the 90-or-so wild birds were full new species, for one - and only a handful had I seen wild before). And of course, some nice bugs and some very big fishy firsts!
Seriously though, what were the most exciting species? The whale sharks or something else entirely? Sounds like you had a ball, do you think you'll surpass last years total of 600(?) mammal taxa this year?
Seriously though, what were the most exciting species? The whale sharks or something else entirely? Sounds like you had a ball, do you think you'll surpass last years total of 600(?) mammal taxa this year?
(though Whale Sharks and Gerenuks are certainly up there!)
600? No chance. Will be mid-400s, solidly mid-table of the nine years I've kept track. 2012 had two week-plus Euro-zoo tours, including Prague and Plzen. Won't get near that total for a while I think!
600? No chance. Will be mid-400s, solidly mid-table of the nine years I've kept track. 2012 had two week-plus Euro-zoo tours, including Prague and Plzen. Won't get near that total for a while I think!
About 35-37 new mammal taxa this year, I think. USA brought the bulk of them. The numbers are lower this year but the interest (and enjoyment!) level is not, I assure you! I keep track of the numbers but when it comes down to it it's all about having a good time and seeing some good animals in nice places, not just ratcheting up numbers - otherwise I'd just visit Berlin, Berlin, Prague and Plzen every January then rest up for a few months.
(not that that might not also be enjoyable, of course!)
