Oceangrant Blog
I’m saving most of my images for print and for promotional purposes to help Winter but I’ll give you all who are kind enough to read my oceangrant blog a “sneak peak” of the first still underwater shots of Winter with her prosthetic tail. I’m honored to be able to take underwater images of Winter I’m one of the few people she will tolerate well close to her underwater during these sessions. Winter just knows me well and we have tried to make it comfortable for her getting her used to my rather large camera dome, etc. Of course conditions can be demanding and it is all natural light but it is an incredible experience and I’m glad to volunteer and help Winter and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (marine animal rehab facility dedicated to Rescue/Rehab/Release-501(c) (3) non-profit org); with my photos. (Image © C Grant 07, all rights reserved, for usage rights contact me: My Email)
Above Abby and Jami are actually “teaching” Winter how to move like a dolphin. The tail gives her some idea but she still needs to be gently guided into how dolphins should swim! Fascinating!!!!
The care, hard work and dedication along with gobs of patience that goes into these “sessions” is amazing and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Winter does seem to like her “tail”. But it is just the first, more of a “training tail” with a smaller fluke but she gets lots of attention and admiration when she wears it so I think she is having a lot of “fun” with it. Plus she is very good with children and this is happening now with different programs for handicapped children to come see her and come away with inspiration to help themselves in their own lives. Winter really seems to “like helping” others in my observation.
OK it is late, again lots more pics to come plus I’m putting together a “Winter Underwater” calendar for 2008. I’ll see how it goes as I want to get it done by her B-day month in October......., coming up real soon!!!
Got to get some rest now - ya never know what Winter will be up to tomorrow! For a story I wrote about how Winter lost her tail in the rope and debris tangled around an abandoned crab trap click this link:
Winter the Tale of the Dolphin Who Lost Her Tail
So Long For Now, Carol
Winter’s Prosthetic Tail-First Still underwater Images of Training Tail
9/4/07
Winter has not swam with a tail fluke since she was 2-3 months old - almost two years ago due to entanglement injury with an abandoned crab trap.
She has to be taught how to move her spine properly again and to exercise the correct muscles. Much care goes into these sessions and I can vouch for the fact that she really seems to be enjoying all the hoopla!