As the birds move out of the swamps and rookeries many move out to marsh lands to feed for the summer. When the find an area with low water it’s like the word gets out.
Drama Of Marsh Feedings
It’s been busy in places so I wanted to start this part of the season with some ‘drama’, critter style.
Drama Of Marsh FeedingsDrama Of Marsh Feedings
If you are a birder click the image above to enlarge. There aren’t too many species missing in this feeding.
These are a few random images taken while out. I have started to pay more attention to these critters after seeing so many interesting articles by Pete Hillman and Mike Powell. What I really want is to capture a number of them in the same photograph. I just never have the correct lens on.
These photographs were taken over a period of 3 days. These are from the ‘to do’ files, images that were skipped over for others taken at the same.
This web site has many new viewers that may not have seen any of the previous projects and this subject is so rare I decided to publish two new articles on this Dolphin pods habits. These are new photographs.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (2)
The first photograph here is an example of the waves they create, and how they will follow fish right to shore. It’s important the contour of the beach is on an incline, under the water. This allows them to just roll back and be in enough water to push back out. They know exactly how and where to strand since an other Dolphin taught them the tricks.
This is also the perfect spot/angle to be to photograph a stranding.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (2)
Above is a Dolphin checking the shore for danger. The animal is just under the surface and swimming by at a high speed. The only way I knew he was coming through was the surface suddenly ‘raised up’ in front of me. I just pointed the lens and pushed the shutter, not knowing what I would get. We both saw each other about the same time.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (2)
Another Dolphin here circled a school and checked all around at the same time. They will hunt with their head up out of the water.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (2)
This is the ‘whirlpool of fish’ being herded and forced in the direction they want. Sometimes this is done so fast fish are flying out of the water from the pressure.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (2)
And finally… a needle fish. The fish hit shore with this Dolphin a hair behind. Not a big one, but there is a school of others right there.
When the tide is right, and the temperature is below the boiling point we might try to get out where they might be for another few sets like these. It is not an easy trip.
Note; to view other articles select ‘Dolphin’ from the Category List on the side menus.
These photographs were taken over a period of 3 days. These are from the ‘to do’ files, images that were skipped over for others taken at the same.
This web site has many new viewers that may not have seen any of the previous projects and this subject is so rare I decided to publish two new articles on this Dolphin pods habits. These are new photographs.
Bottlenose Dolphins are known to be group hunters, members of a pod working together to capture prey. However only a rare few, worldwide, drive fish on shore (stranding) and follow them in the catch them.
The photographs here are from what may be the only ones that have learned to hunt this way and actually pass it to their young. We have been lucky enough to document these hunts.
Note; We always kept a respectful distance, which is critical to interacting with this group. A conservation group was on hand during the days shooting.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (1)
Above one of the hunters swims within a few meters of shore (the water depth here plays an important role) inspecting us and the area to be sure it is safe to beach themselves and their prey.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (1)
A Dolphin will create circles, whirlpools really, around schools of fish. Basically they are herding fish where they want them to be.
The Bottlenose Dolphin weighs an average of 300 kg (660 pounds). It can reach a length of just over 4 metres (13 feet). Many of these are the larger members of the Pod so they are bigger and stronger.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (1)
Here a Dolphin is creating a big, huge, wave as the last step to the herding of fish. Even if we did not see the start of a drive, the splash here can be heard (no really) from very far away. This is an amazing amount of water being moved.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (1)
Finally a hunter will speed to shore and trap fish either on shore or between two hunters. Above a Dolphin has a school trapped.
Strand Feeding Dolphins (1)
Last, and with luck a fish is eaten, the Dolphin roll and splash back out to deeper water to repeat the whole process.
The Dolphin always come in on their right side. Their dorsal fins are scarred and even from a distance you can see which ones are the strand feed hunters.
The above all happens in a matter of a few seconds. Sometimes it happens down and away from me, other times I am almost ambushed and they drive into shore directly at me. It’s so fast even knowing what to look for you get surprised.
We always keep a distance from the water. First there are laws protecting these rare animals. Second, it would be like getting hit by a car. They can swim at 35 MPH. And they do.
Note; to view other articles select ‘Dolphin’ from the Category List on the side menus.
The ever present church spire seen from a side street, with the traditional Charleston style house.
For new monochrome photographers the clouds in this image were white, fluffy, in color. However a monochrome photograph loses this definition in many images. It’s a typical B&W problem. Using a red filter, either physically on your lens, or during post processing and the sky is brought back to life.
I have ‘Cokin’ style filers, but prefer to sit at my desk with Lightroom / NIK for this. I may be old school, just not that much.
