P04_096

Amazon River DolphinKnown as boto-vermelho – (Inia geoffrensis). Cetaceans that live in rivers and lakes in the Amazon. Their behavior is similar to that of dolphins. One of the most common legends that refer to the animal is that it transforms itself into a well-dressed and handsome young man who goes to parties along the river where he seduces girls. Before dawn, it flees and returns to the river or lake where it transforms back into a dolphin. In his expedition, Jacques Cousteau gave it the name “pink”. In the Amazonian tradition, however, it is known as the “red” dolphin. It usually roams alone or in pairs and often approaches humans, even when fishing. The other Amazon dolphin, the Tucuxi boto (Sotalia fluviatilis), has a darker back. is smaller and more shy. More (Inia geoffrensis)

First Amazonian dive
The photograph was taken on a beach on the Tapajós River, during an expedition with researchers from INPA (National Institute for Research in the Amazon). Authorized and sponsored by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for the Environment), the expedition aimed to capture a dolphin and confine it in an area surrounded by fishing nets for a week. In that period of time, the researchers performed all the routine procedures, such as weighing and measuring, and checking the health status of the animal. I, as a photographer, documented the entire operation.
I have little stories to tell. The dolphin in the photograph with which I swam for a week left unforgettable moments in my memory. On the expedition there were pessimists, who thought the dolphin would attack me. There was not even the slightest manifestation of aggression. At one point, I got out of the water to change the film on my Nikonos IV, took out the precious roll, took a new film and went to the edge, knee-deep in water, to reload the camera. To my surprise, the dolphin came down to the shallows and put the tip of its snout against my leg, and stayed there until I completed my operation and returned to the water. Was that gesture as an invitation to return to the water? On the last day, before the boto was released, I decided to swim without the camera, just to thank my friend. Inside the fenced area there was a deep spot with more than two meters, where the dolphin used to spend a lot of time, leaning against the sandy bottom. I did the same thing, I emptied my lungs and went down until I was beside that mysterious being, which did not stop whistling. I felt a deep peace invading my being, and time passed, a lot of time passed… an eternity. That whistle that my conscience couldn’t translate, it certainly worked on other levels of perception, it surpassed the limits imposed by my mind… it was a precious learning experience… the boto, among other things, showed me how to extend the diving time.

P04_096 – Leonide Principe
Camera Nikonos IV with 35mm f2.8 – Diapositive Film Fujichrome Velvia 50 – Scanner: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED –
Digitised from a positive on film
Original file size: 5362px x 3619px
Location Taken: Praia Maria José (Santarém – Amazonas Brazil)
Date Taken: 1997
Collection: Amazon River Dolphin – Persons shown: -nobody
Keywords:
Alter do Chão, Amazon, Amazon river dolphin, Amazonian, Amazônia, América do Sul, Brasil, Brazil, Brazilian, Inia geoffrensis, Para, Pará, Santarém, South America, animals, aquatic mammals, boto cor-de-rosa, boto-vermelhoKnown as boto-vermelho – (Inia geoffrensis). Cetaceans that live in rivers and lakes in the Amazon. Their behavior is similar to that of dolphins. One of the most common legends that refer to the animal is that it transforms itself into a well-dressed and handsome young man who goes to parties along the river where he seduces girls. Before dawn, it flees and returns to the river or lake where it transforms back into a dolphin. In his expedition, Jacques Cousteau gave it the name “pink”. In the Amazonian tradition, however, it is known as the “red” dolphin. It usually roams alone or in pairs and often approaches humans, even when fishing. The other Amazon dolphin, the Tucuxi boto (Sotalia fluviatilis), has a darker back. is smaller and more shy. More, encantado, enchanted, fauna, mammals, mamíferos, mamíferos aquáticos, pink dolphin, tonina, NFT, boutu, bufeo
EN1 First dive P04_096
PT1 Primeiro mergulho P04_096
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos

A20_3986

Red or pink?
The rivers of the Amazon are home of two species of aquatic mammals: the tucuxi dolphin and the Amazon River Dolphin, the latter being classified as Inia geoffrensis. The Inia has always been known by the people of the Amazon as the «boto-vermelho» (meaning red dolphin) and, in general, even today, whether the older riverside dwellers or the scientists engaged with the Amazon biome call it that way. It was after Jacques Cousteau’s expedition that this dolphin was improperly called “pink dolphin”. It is not difficult to understand that the famous oceanographer was already conditioned to a consumer society, that his adventures were publicized by television networks around the world, and that they used an advertising charm capable of attracting much more the public of urban civilization. I vividly remember how the documentaries on Calypso (Commander Cousteau’s ship) were among the most anticipated shows of my childhood. The oceanographic team’s narrative was engaging and there’s no doubt that “pink” was more appealing than red. Thus, the new denomination, from the regional point of view, may have been wrong and may have caused some people to be dissatisfied. But from a planetary point of view, the “pink dolphin” of the Amazon had a phenomenal projection and revealed it as another wonder of the Amazon rainforest.

A20_3986 – Leonide Principe
Equipment: NIKON D2X with lens 12.0-24.0 mm f/4.0 set at 12 mm – Exposition: ISO: 100 – Aperture: 9.5 – Shutter: 1/350 – Program: Normal – Exp. Comp.: 0.0,
Original digital capture of a real life scene –
Original file size: 2868px x 4312px
Location: lago do Bim (Iranduba – Amazonas Brazil)
Date: June 28, 2006 – Time: 10:30:53 AM
Collection: Amazon River Dolphin – Persons shown: none
Keywords:
Ariau paranaParana – (from the Tupi para’ ná, similar to the sea). The branch of a river that feeds water back into the same river downstream or into another river.  Paranás occur frequently In the Amazon Basin and many of them are densely populated.   More, paraná do Ariaú, Iranduba, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America, boto-vermelho, Amazon river dolphin, boto cor-de-rosa, encantado, enchanted, Inia geoffrensis, pink dolphin, tonina, mamíferos aquáticos, aquatic mammals, mamíferos, mammals, FAUNA, animals, boutu, bufeo
EN2 Red or pink? A20_3986
PT2 Vermelho ou cor-de-rosa? A20_3986
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos

A20_4089

Live playing
Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
The wise men have said since the dawn of time that smiles and playfulness are the great secret of longevity and the greatest manifestation of a happy life. What more could we desire? The pink river dolphin has a smile imprinted on its facial expression, and I have also observed through many experiences that this incredible being makes everything a reason for playfulness, even when feeding. I wouldn’t be surprised if a scientist told me that the pink river dolphin can read my thoughts. I would only be surprised that a scientist would say such a thing.

A20_4089 – Leonide Principe
Equipment: NIKON D2X with lens 12.0-24.0 mm f/4.0 set at 12 mm – Exposition: ISO: 100 – Aperture: 6.3 – Shutter: 1/160 – Program: Normal – Exp. Comp.: 0.0,
Original digital capture of a real life scene –
Original file size: 2868px x 4312px
Location: lago do Bim (Iranduba – Amazonas Brazil)
Date: June 28, 2006 – Time: 10:39:00 AM
Collection: Amazon River Dolphin – Persons shown: none
Keywords:
Ariau parana, paraná do Ariaú, Iranduba, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America, boto-vermelho, Amazon river dolphin, boto cor-de-rosa, encantado, enchanted, Inia geoffrensis, pink dolphin, tonina, mamíferos aquáticos, aquatic mammals, mamíferos, mammals, FAUNA, animals, boutu, bufeo
EN3 Live playing A20_4089
PT3 Viver brincando A20_4089
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos