Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Playing With Glass, Part 3

There is a local phenomenon along the SC/GA coast known as dolphin strand feeding. I had seen it once before, way back in my early 20's along a creek off the Toodoogoo River.

This is what it looks like:


My aunt is staying at her condo on Seabrook Island and yesterday, learning that low tide was going to be close to dusk, I grabbed my camera with its new and improved Jason lens and hiked up around to the north end of the island and waited.

I know these are grainy, but I was shooting with a long lens without a tripod on a windy beach and they are a little further away than you'd think. Haha.

I saw a bald eagle:


I saw an osprey:


I saw the bald eagle dive bomb the osprey:

I got this puppy in trouble. (who's the puppy? who's the PUPPY? who's the puppy?) I was politely told that the jumping all over strangers behavior was something they were trying to discourage.

And, alas, a couple dolphins came by to check out the buffet, but none stranded themselves to feed. I did get a few good shots.
Not the best, but you can see the water coming from the blow hole.

I think this is my favorite from the batch. Don't know who she was, there were several people down there waiting to see if they'd strand.


This was across the water, three dolphins pushed the fish up close, but didn't actually strand, you can see the water disturbance where they were.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow beautiful photos.......so do they "chase" the fish
Onto the beach to feed......or do people try to intake them with food???

JanetLee said...

They swim in a group and sort of herd the fish, then rush the bank, pushing the fish out of the water. The dolphins "strand" themselves and gobble up the fish before wiggling back into the water.

Pixel Peeper said...

How cool - I never knew they did this!

JanetLee said...

One gentleman I was talking to while we were waiting told me that National Geographic had been out at the same spot last week filming for an upcoming television show on predators. Not sure when it is supposed to air.

Next time the tides will coincide with their evening feedings is around the 15, 16. If my aunt is still in town and my work schedule permits, I may go back and try again.

pdo said...

Thanks....that is beautiful.....love.....love the bird photos added today....

Charlestonjoan said...

Oh, beautiful! Love the dolphin shots. I want to see that!