Bottlenose Dolphin Pod

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

This is an image of 3 dolphins of the pod of 6 that was sighted during a research cruise in the northern Arabian Sea. Bottlenose dolphins are known to ride the bow wave created by the front part of the ship as it cruises. The most probable explanation for this behaviour is pure recreation. The dolphins spend relatively less energy when bow riding, and are pushed forward by the force of the wave. Members of the pod weave in and out to find the best position to ride the wave, whilst also performing acrobatics including breaches (leaps), twists and turns.

Canon 500D, Canon 18-55mm IS
SS 1/1600
Av 5.6
ISO 800
Deliberately included the ship's hull for perspective.

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