Tag Archives: Dolphin

Animals

Dolphins Strand Feeding, Junior Watching

November 19, 2018 Ellen Jennings 8 Comments

This trio of Dolphins charged the beach head on instead of from the side as I’ve usually seen.

The Dolphin on the left was hanging on tight to his catch.

As they continued to chase the fish herded to the water’s edge the Dolphin in the middle got a fish.

I didn’t notice it at the time, but a juvenile Dolphin was watching from a safe distance. I wonder if the Dolphin on the left was holding this catch to feed the youngster or if he/she was just too busy getting back in the water.

Later that morning I did see the mother and juvenile working the shore in what looked like teaching of the water swirling methods.

11/06/2018

Animals

Dolphins Strand Feeding: Big Catch

November 7, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The fish were easy to see as they flew through the air, tossed about by the powerful water surges created by the Dolphins.

Dolphins Strand Feeding, Fish in the Air

Most of the fish manage to flop back into the water but this one was about to be lunch.

The fish appears to be dead or knocked out.

But a moment later he leapt into the air…

and ended up in a Dolphin’s mouth.

The images in a slideshow, if you prefer; click an image to get started:

Dolphins Strand Feeding

Animals

Dolphins Strand Feeding: Pelican Audience

August 11, 2018 Ellen Jennings 8 Comments

These Dolphins were strand feeding on the opposite side of the river, at least 300 feet (90 Meters) from where I was standing. The photos don’t have nearly the detail as my Dolphins Strand Feeding: Success post, but I thought it was quite interesting to see the process from a different angle.

Not to mention the Pelicans that were keen on seeing if they could nab a fish from all the action.

The Pelicans were following the Dolphins as they swam up and down the river. I didn’t see any fish this time but the Pelican on the left made a quick exit as if he had something he didn’t want to share.

Animals

Dolphin

August 10, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

A Dolphin swimming

Casually down river

No rush, look around

Animals

Dolphins Strand Feeding: Success

August 7, 2018 Ellen Jennings 11 Comments

After the fishless stranding of my last post, I was fortunate to witness another strand feeding with the fish jumping wildly.

Three Dolphins had driven the fish to shore and the fish did their best not to become lunch.

The next photo is heavily cropped, but I wanted to show a closeup of the Dolphin – fish encounter. I’m not certain the Dolphin got this one, but it seems likely.

The frenzy only lasts a few seconds, then the Dolphins roll/flop back into the water, continuing to splash with their tails.

Animals

Dolphins Strand Feeding

August 6, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

A number of Dolphin pods in South Carolina catch fish by a process known as strand feeding. Singly or in groups, they drive fish to the shore, aka strand, usually at a steep bank, then nab the fish.

To stay at a distance that is safe for the Dolphins doesn’t always result in the best images, but it sure is interesting to watch. I didn’t see any fish during this stranding.

Animals, Wildlife

One Got Away

December 4, 2017 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I did not see the Needlefish when I was taking these shots. The glare from the afternoon sun and the splash from the strand feeding Dolphin were what I saw in the viewfinder while I was hoping the Dolphin’s head would emerge through the water.

The fish’s jumping skills outran the Dolphin’s efforts to corner him near shore.

In a matter of seconds the the Dolphin turned back into the deeper water.

Animals

Synchronized Dolphins

November 28, 2017 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

The tide was coming in working against the river flowing out. A group of about a dozen Dolphins worked up and down the mouth of the river giving fleeting glimpses of fins, tails, and head bobs, mostly out in the middle of the river.

Dolphins hunt for food cooperatively and I have seen pairs and groups of 4 or 5 working together. Often it is hard to tell how many because they aren’t visible at the same time and can travel long distances under water. This pair showed off a few elegant moves before they went on their way.

Folly Beach County Park, SC.

Animals, Wildlife

Dolphins Moving Water

November 24, 2017 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

The bank of the river is very steep here which not only helps the Dolphin corral fish to feed on but it creates a funnel wave up the shore. I could hear the water coming and didn’t want to miss the Dolphin, but I think the funnel may have been a more interesting photograph. I’ll need to see this a few more times to get placed properly for the best shot.

He’s in there somewhere. Amazingly fast and agile, Dolphins create a swirl in the water as they zoom by.

The splash was quite dramatic as he made a turn, sending an incredible amount of water airborne.

There is at least 1000 feet of river shoreline where the Dolphins were feeding this day, and with their speed it was tough to choose a place to stand.

Animals

Dolphins

November 18, 2017 Ellen Jennings 12 Comments

I have frequently seen Dolphins in the ocean, rivers and creeks while out photographing in the greater Charleston area. Except for one frenzied experience in May I had only seen glimpses and teases of the promise of getting a Dolphin photo that included more than a fin.

Yesterday that changed when we watched six or eight Dolphins interacting in the mouth of a river. This group rose and dove around each other, with the juvenile often nudging up against one of the adults.

Following their swimming pattern helps to be looking in the right place for their next appearance but they are quick to change direction. Occasionally did something totally different!

Several of the adults stayed in the periphery of the group and also took some time for feeding along the river edge, which will be another post.

After about a half hour the group moved further from us then disappeared around a corner.