Dolphins, dolphins, and more dolphins

I came across a fantastic video today of a 'dolphin stampede' this morning on Facebook and it got me thinking about my experiences with Pacific white-sided dolphins in 2009 while I was scouting out locations for my August 2011 Orca Marine Photography Tour.

In a week's time on the water in Johnstone Strait (which is exactly where the week-long photo tour is going to be), we ran across three gigantic pods of these wonderful dolphins leaping and playing in the water.

Pacific white-sided dolphins at play on the B.C. West Coast

Trying to get these guys as they leapt about in the water was one of the most challenging things I've ever attempted in wildlife photography, and there were several instances in which I missed glorious 25-foot leaps. Still, it was amazing to witness hundreds of dolphins flying about in all directions like a circus troupe.

Pacific white-sided dolphin, Johnstone Strait, British Columbia, Canada

A Pacific white-sided dolphins leaps out of the water in the Inside Pass, B.C., Canada
Pacific white-sided dolphins at play on the B.C. West Coast
Here's a short video I took on one of the days showing a bit of what you get when traveling through here on a boat in the midst of dolphins. Please ignore the terrible commentary, ha-ha!


For those of you that may be interested in coming along on this photo tour, you can read up about what we'll be photographing on my Canadian Wildlife Photography Tours website.  There are currently three spots remaining on the tour, which departs Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island on August 25th, 2011.  I hope a few more of you will be able to join me for this amazing trip!

Happy spring shooting.

John

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