Saturday, May 14, 2022

The Dolphin, a small-toothed cetacean

 
This will probably be the easiest post I've ever written. I could add one photo and one photo only. But of course you know I can't do that! 


We DID have an amazing encounter with a Dolphin on our drive over to the Withlacoochee Bay Trail on the Gulf Coast of Florida.


We were standing on an observation platform looking out over some shallow water and saw a Dolphin swimming our way. 


For starters, we can see the dorsal fin of Dolphins swimming out in the deeper waters. That's not unusual. But to have one swim right in front of us is most unusual and very exciting. 


Can you see the water coming out of his blow hole?


And then to have it splishing and splashing, fishing for it's lunch was something to watch!


Fish were flying out of the water, hoping to live another day! lol


It was an incredible display to be so close to with our cameras clicking away.


And to share a Tricolored Heron that we spotted from the top of the tall tower I bravely climbed (more on that in the previous post).


He was a beauty!


I'll finish with a cropped photo of the Dolphin coming out of the water to give us a smile! 


Amazing! We were very thankful to witness something so special!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

44 comments:

Tom said...

...flying fish, how neat!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I just love the Dolphins, great sighting and photos. Neat captures of the fish jumping out of the water. Your Tricolored Heron is beautiful. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

Ed Rosack said...

Wow - you made some great photos of the dolphin - those really are special!

Mae Travels said...

The amazing thing is that he really most likely WAS checking you out! Dolphins are so intelligent.

best... mae at maefood.blospot.com

Penelope Notes said...

Amazing creature and dolphin photos ... I hope it is as content as the smiling shape on its face appears to be!

MadSnapper said...

there has to be a better word than AMAZING, but I don't know what it is... i love that smile!!!! i got excited just looking at the photos

carol l mckenna said...

Oh what a gift for you ~ and your photos are fantastic ~ love the smiling dolphin ~ Xo


wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Marcia said...

You really captured a wonderful sight.

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Oh, Diane, you've given us a close up glimpse of that wonderful part of the world. And to see the dolphin right there - what a thrill indeed. Had a wee chuckle at your comment about the fish leaping up out of the water, hoping to escape lunch and live another day.

And yes, only one photo wouldn't do it justice at all. Happy weekend!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What fun to see a dolphin! They always look like they are smiling, don't they? Th tricolored heron was also a wonderful sight to see!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful! A smiling dolphin is a thrilling photo. Great pictures

Latane Barton said...

What an exciting find. Dolphins are so much fun. How do I know? I've never been near one!! But, they just look like fun.

Vee said...

Golly! That was pretty special all around.

Terri D said...

OH my gosh, how absolutely wonderful is that dolphin encounter!! Thanks for sharing!!

RedPat said...

How thrilling to see the dolphin and then to see it fishing!

margi said...

Beautiful photos of the dolphin!

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

That is special and what wonderful photos with the fish jumping too. Love the smile on the dolphin. How fortunate you were and us too since you shared it with us! Thank you!

happyone said...

The first picture is my very favorite. What a great capture!!!

Ann said...

Oh wow, these are amazing. How fun to get to watch this.

Lea said...

Beautiful! Wonderful!

Jeanie said...

Check out that fabulous face! Yes, indeed! That was quite a smile. Little show off! I love it. (And your heron, too!)

Linda said...

Flipper! Sorry, I had to say it. It’s a cute dolphin.

Anu said...

Hello. Great that you saw the dolphin and got photos of it! The tricolored heron is wonderful.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

You almost have to feel sorry for the poor fish, besieged by the dolphin from below and by the heron above. I suppose it's an immutable law that something has to did for something else to live.

Irma said...

This encounter with the dolphin is absolutely amazing.
Thanks for sharing.
Greetings Irma

Jenn Jilks said...

What a special treat!
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You got some amazing photos of the dolphin and the flying fish! I love dolphins and often see them when I am at the beach, but not as close up as you did!

magiceye said...

Beautiful captures of the dolphin and heron!

Wally Jones said...

Thank you, Diane, for sharing a really excellent series of photographs!

Watching dolphin round up a school of mullet and then charging into them is absolutely fascinating. Of course, now I'm hungry for some fried mullet and grits!

The Tricolored Heron in breeding plumage is mighty handsome.

Have a great new week!

Anni said...

I love watching the dolphins guiding our ships out to sea! They're incredible creatures (and so is your cropped photo!)
Love the heron! What did you do to get this series? Fall in the water? Inquiring minds wanna know!!
Thanks so much for linking in and posting your blog at I'd Rather B Birdin'.

Bob Bushell said...

Wonderful the Dolphin, playing with the fish, yum.

Rainbow Evening said...

aww...wonderful views...
love dolphin....

Thank you for sharing beautiful photos

The Liberty Belle said...

The dolphin snaps are wonderful!

Linda said...

How absolutely WONDERFUL you were RIGHT THERE to see all this!!! I am so happy for you and happy for US that you shared this!

BeachGypsy said...

fantastic pictures of the dolphin my friend!! Some real good action shots there! Love the ones of the fish a flying through the air, ha ha LOL. Seeing these magical creatures is somehow just so special.......everytime I see one it's special in some way. There is a place here not many know of where the dolphins feed, we go pretty often, they come right up close to ya in the shallow water, it is always thrilling. And there is a secret place we know where the mommy dolphins take their young to teach them to hunt.......i've gotten a few good pictures there. My favorite is one of a lil baby, just a trying it's BEST....AND KEEPING UP with the big dolphins! so sweet. Hope you have a great week coming up! I am busy writing about your beautiful Florida and our adventures there! So many beautiful things in Florida, I love to come there.

Nancy Chan said...

Wow! How exciting to see a dolphin up close and doing its acts!

Lowcarb team member said...

So lovely to see the dolphins.

All the best Jan

Caroline said...

Excellent photos of the dolphin. They are so cute.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

dolphins are such amazing creatures!

stardust said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this stunning show. Not only the dolphin but also the jumping fish and splashes are nicely captured.

Yoko

Teresa said...

Me parecen preciosas las fotografías del delfín, la garza también me gusta mucho. Besos.

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, that precious Dolphin. What a sight that must have been for you. I heard they are very smart. I've seen them up close in shows, but to see them in nature would be incredible. He has a sweet face and looks gentle. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us.

~Sheri

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The photos and story are all absolutely stunning! I almost couldn't scroll past your header shot I was so amazed. But I knew I'd find more of the story when I did. (And although that definitely IS a perfect photo, I would have been a little disappointed not to have seen more.) Thanks for this , it was a real treat!!!!

Jeannie said...

Dolphins always look like they are smiling and don't have a care in the world.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry