Isabella’s Winter Reunion: Makes Video for Webcast

October 5th, 2009

Isabella and Juliana won’t be able to attend the webcast at CMA next Wednesday because…well they have to go to school! So Isabella (who was very, very, very disappointed went back down to Clearwater this weekend to make a short video for the webcast and see her BFF Winter. She made a few new friends, saw Abby, sign some books for visitors and hung out with Winter. She should be arriving home shortly so I will get the full download but rumor has it she even got to be part of the dolphin show at CMA. She’s ready to move to Clearwater

Abby and Winter at CMA

Abby and Winter at CMA

Bella and Winter, Best Friends

Bella and Winter, Best Friends

Smooch!

Smooch!

Winter’s trainer reads to Winter

October 5th, 2009

Elaina Franklin, one of Winter’s trainers reads to Winter! Check out how Winter liked the book!

From Elaina Franklin: “I read Winter her new book to her today. It turned out to be a really great form of enrichment for her! As she sat up in front of me on the raft, she looked curiously at the pictures as I turned the pages for her to see. She seemed especially intrigued by some of the full-page pictures of herself underwater. Considering the evidence that dolphins have a sense of self-awareness when they look into a mirror, meaning they know it is themselves that they are looking at (and not another dolphin)… I wondered if Winter recognized herself in the picture? Winter got more and more excited the further we got into the book – she even started sticking her tongue out at some of the pictures! Overall, I think that Winter is very proud of her new book and she is very happy to be able to share her story with all of you!”
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Winter smiling at her book!

Winter smiling at her book!

Winter’s Tail Books Arrive at CMA

October 5th, 2009

Jeni Hatter from Clearwater Marine Aquarium tell us a little about the arrival of Winter’s Tail at CMA! Check out what she had to say about the event!

“Last week, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium hosted a special event to honor the launch of Winter’s Tail. On October 1, CMA staff, aquarium guests and the media marked the historic occasion by opening the first boxes of the books and stocking them on the gift shop shelves. Winter’s trainers also read to her from the book. Her favorite part of that was the pictures of herself! Winter also got to try on her brand new prosthetic tail. After all, it’s not every day a dolphin has a book come out about them! This is a big week in Winter’s life. On Wednesday, students across the U.S. will see her live during a Webcast and this Saturday, she will turn four years old! Since she wasn’t expected to survive, every birthday she celebrates is extra special. Remember…if Winter can, you can!”

Opening the very first box of Winter's Tail

Opening the very first box of Winter's Tail

David Yates, CMA CEO reads from Winter's Tail

David Yates, CMA CEO reads from Winter's Tail

Our Friends Owen and Mzee Featured on National Geographic Special

September 27th, 2009

Owen and Mzee are feaurtred in NatGeo’s ” Unlikely Friends ”

Here is the segment:

Billy D. Meets Winter!!!!!

September 20th, 2009

Billy DiMichele from Scholastic had the opportunity to visit Winter last week.  Check out what he had to say about his life changing experience:

“On Friday of last week I experienced one of those rare moments in life – something I like to call a “grace” –  a moment of pure, unfettered joy.  How often in our busy lives do we get to experience those, I wonder? And all it took was a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, FL. To see a little dolphin named Winter. She may be little (she’s only 4) but her story is epic and her effect on all of us humans (me included) is off the charts.  I mean it.  This experience was sublime on every level made even more special when you consider the odds she beat to be here with us. I think I’m in love.  :)”

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Billy DiMichele and his new BFF Winter: who has the bigger smile??

Isabella and Craig Meet Winter!!!!!

September 12th, 2009

Last week Isabella and I traveled to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Cleawater Florida to meet Winter.  They say a pictures worth a thousand words so here are some of the pictures that really tell the story.

Isabella and Craig  getting acquainted with Winter,  Abby has her hand on Winter's dorsal fin.

Isabella and Craig getting acquainted with Winter, Abby has her hand on Winter's dorsal fin.

Isabella plants a big kiss on her new best friend!

Isabella plants a big kiss on her new best friend!

Isabella didn’t stop smiling the whole time.  We got to get in the water with our wetsuits on  (standing on a submerged platfrom) and really interact with Winter and Panama.  It was almost like a dream.  So coooooooool!!!!!!!!!!! Isabella spent time with Abby, the world’s best dolphin trainer and her whole team.

When we first got to Clearwater, David Yates and Jenni Hatter had arranged a surprise for us.  Isabella and I went right to the beach where there were hundreds of people waitng along with dozens of press reporters– we helped release a 244 lb loggerhead turtle named Betsy who had been getting well at CMA and now it was time to return home to the ocean.  You can see some of our photos and video footage.

Isabella and Craig help the CMA staff release Betsi the Sea Turtle.

Isabella and Craig help the CMA staff release Betsi the Sea Turtle.

Isabella has decided she wants to become a dolphin trainer and I have a feeling we will be making numerous trips back to Clearwater to see our new friends- dolphins as well as people.  Don’t forget to login  to the webcast on October 7th at 1pm EST.

Craig

Turtle Ponderings: The First Ponder

August 22nd, 2009

Welcome to Turtle Ponderings!  This is this the very first entry of something I have been meaning to do for a very long time.  Juliana, Isabella and I hear or  read  just about every interesting animal story out there.  When we find one that catches all of our attention we try to write a book about the subject.  When we heard about as little dolphin who lost her tail and had a prosthetic tail made by a group of engineers  we all thought: Now this is great story!!!! We called the David Yates from Clearwater Aquarium and told him about our other books and voila- here we are about to  launch  our fifth Scholastic book entitled Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again.

Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim AgainWinter Box rgb

This will be a bit of a first for us.  So that all of you can  learn more (and yes– have more fun!) we are launching with all cylinders firing.  First we will host a live event from Cleawater Marine Aquarium, Winter’s home, and celebrate her fourth birthday at 1:00pm on October 7th.

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Dont’ Miss Winter’s 4th Birthdy Party and a Live Webcast of the Book Launch

There will be a live webcast of the entire event.  This will also be the official launch of the book we are also launching  a cool new Nintendo DS game amd interactive book based on the Scholastic book.  The  the girls and I read the story on the DS .  This is the first time that we know of that a major childrens book has come out on the same day as the videogame. In fact we believe it’s the first time a book has been included in the videogame.

It will also be the official launch of  www.winterstail.com.  You can make films and do sing alongs and then email to your friends.  You can also check out our other website for Owen & Mzee, Knut and Looking for Miza.

Stayed tuned for more….

Craig