Category Archives: Dolphin

Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, Wildlife

Fish Spinning, Dolphin

September 18, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 4 Comments

This was taken probably 20 yards (18 m) off shore, there is a steep drop off here.

Fish Spinning, Dolphin - click to enlarge — Fish Spinning, Dolphin – click to enlarge

The Dolphin was quickly circling and slapping his tail to confuse the fish. Next step could be to push these fish on shore for the Dolphin to follow for a quick grab.

Instead the whirlpool did the work and the Dolphin was able to feed right there, no herding to the beach needed.

Click, or double tap, any image to view the gallery.

Fish Spinning, Dolphin – click to enlarge

Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, This and That, Wildlife

Herding Fish Alone, Dolphin

September 16, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

Most of my Dolphin articles have been groups fishing together. I do have a series of photographs never published of a single Dolphin spinning/splashing schools of fish.

Herding Fish Alone, Dolphin - click to enlarge — Herding Fish Alone, Dolphin – click to enlarge

The Dolphin below swam close to the shore slowing pushing fish forward.

A short distance further, when they were grouped up he quickly spun around them in a fast tight circle.

When he had them bunched close enough he almost had a whirlpool.

Splashing with his tail he pushed them towards shore.

And caught them.

They don’t always strand these fish either. If they have enough of a circle and whirlpool made slamming their tail down stuns the fish and they are caught that way also.

Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, Wildlife

Another Big Strand Feeding, Dolphins

September 13, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 5 Comments

This is the best kind of Dolphin capture. A big, loud, group hitting shore at the same time.

It’s amazing how 5 huge Dolphin coordinate this charge to all hit the shore at the same time.

Another Big Strand Feeding, Dolphins - click to enlarge — Another Big Strand Feeding, Dolphins – click to enlarge

The sounds of the waves are explosive.

Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, This and That, Wildlife

Making A Big Splash, Dolphins

September 3, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

When 5 Dolphin are in the same strand feeding it is loud and explosive. This is the most I have seen in a single chase though I think I have sen photographs of 6 at the same time. Both are unusual.

Making A Big Splash - click to enlarge — Making A Big Splash – click to enlarge

I’m due to go back out soon now that the weather is changing and hope to have out of town wildlife photographers join me.

Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, This and That, Wildlife

Dolphins Working Together

August 31, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

When I first took this shot I had assumed it was an adult with her calf. While it still might have been they are very close to each other in size.

Dolphins Working Together - click to enlarge — Dolphins Working Together – click to enlarge

Just a few moments later a group of Dolphin circled and chased a school of fish so I think it more likely they were starting to herd fish together.

Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, This and That

Chasing Fish To Shore, 2 Dolphins

August 30, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

Another in the series of Dolphin strand feeding.

Chasing Fish To Shore, 2 Dolphins - click to enlarge — Chasing Fish To Shore, 2 Dolphins – click to enlarge

In this photograph I was able to capture them pushing a school almost in front of me.

When picking my spot to shoot the first consideration is the shoreline and how steep the incline is. Just as important is being far enough back from the water line and off to the left of where I suspect they will land.

Far enough away is to respect their need for space, they are wild animals. Being on my left allows me to capture them facing me, they prefer to be on their right side.

Birds, Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, Pelican, Shore Bird, Wildlife

Dolphins, Pelicans, Fish

August 27, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 6 Comments

The fish were right in the middle, no place to go.

Dolphins, Pelicans, Fish - click to enlarge — Dolphins, Pelicans, Fish – click to enlarge

I have tried to describe a Dolphin charging just under the surface of the water. It’s like the water swells around them. The photograph above does a better job than I can.

These Dolphin hit the shore and the Pelicans were landing at the same time. They must have a great view from above to know where and when to appear.

This day Dolphins were strand feeding on the far side of this small inlet, away from my usual spot. It was later in the day and a group of people were standing too close to the waters edge.

Above the Dolphins were rolling to their right side and pushing back into the water. It’s always a right side roll.

Charleston, Dolphin, Ocean Shore, Wildlife

Dolphins, 3 Stranding Fish

August 22, 2018 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

This is a Dolphin feeding that I only caught at the last minute. Depending on the depth of the water I only have a few seconds to zoom and focus on the ‘suspected’ landing spot.

I find with most hunts like this I can watch the surface and see the Dolphin begin to circle the school. At times it’s like an amazing whirl pool. However typically it’s a changing of the water flow.

Dolphins, 3 Stranding Fish - click to enlarge — Dolphins, 3 Stranding Fish – click to enlarge

In this case I either missed the signals or it was all a deep water chase.