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.

Thanks, C&C welcome.

[Mrudul Godbole]

Interesting behavior captured. It might be a great feeling to actually sight them riding the wave. Have only seen that in movies :). The mid air pose of the one on the right looks nice. Nicely captured. Thanks for sharing.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Interesting information. Feel like diving with them. How nicely their body is streamlined for a life in the water. Very intelligent and sensitive. There are many surfers who swear that they have been saved by dolphins from sharks. Their behaviour is also very interesting when they find pregnant woman in water. They seem to come close and kind of speak to the unborn. I hope we can save the dolphins.

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

Amazing image. During early Feb, 2004, we visited the Sundarbans and hired one high-deck launch for safety as we decided to stay in the launch. We used to start in the early morning and one day when the high tide has commenced and the launch was moving against the tide, a school of about 5 or 6 Gangetic Dolphins arrived in the scene from nowhere and began swimming alongside, riding up and down with the waves, occasionally throwing up spray into the air, for about half a mile and suddenly vanished as they came.
Amongst all living animals, dolphins have great affinity towards man. They produce ultrasounds (around 2 lac vibrations per sec.) and therefore, are capable of not only identifying the objects but also analysing the quality of the echo.
Nice piece of knowledge flowing in from Abhishek Bhai, Madam Mrudul and Shri Sabyasachi.
Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

[Roopak Gangadharan]

thrilling sight abhishek. nicely documented.

TFS
Roopak