Porpoises and Dolphins
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The Dolphins and Porpoises -- the More Famous Members of the Marine Mammals that Resemble Fish
So it was when our family moved from New Mexico to the Western Pacific Island of Guam, that I had a chance to see dolphins up close and in the wild. Really close! Every weekend, my folks would take us to the popular beaches and bays for snorkeling. And it was during a snorkeling adventure in the wide and deep boat channel between Merizo and Cocos Island that my dad and I encountered a pod of dolphins that curiously investigated us before racing back out of the channel to go after a school of fish.
Decorative Dolphins! Art with a Porpoise!
The Friendly Creatures of the Sea!
I again encountered some dolphins that came up and frolicked in our boat's bow waves as we maneuvered in the narrow channels in the reefs surrounding the rock islands of the Republic of Palau. The dolphins clearly enjoyed their play in the bow waves--sometimes they'd scoot away from the wave to calmer water and roll on one side so they could get a look at us and our boat. Eventually, they got bored and took off toward a school of fish that was being followed by a flock of sea birds.The most perfect dolphin encounter was during the week that I met the gal who would later become my wife. We were camping along a beach on a remote beach on Guam--and some of our group decided to go spear fishing to get something for breakfast. We watched from the beach as a school of dolphins came alongside our buddies and put on a show for them. The dolphins circled our friends for a while, then disappeared back into the deeper water from where they came.
Dolphins and Porpoises by the Bay..... eBay, That Is!
Dolphins, Porpoises, and Ships
When I asked one of the crew members on the ship's observation deck, he referred me to the ship's librarian/naturalist, who called them Dall's dolphins and who pointed them out in an old Marine Mammals Guidebook. I wasn't so sure, because in the guidebook, the Dall's dolphins (or porpoises) have a coloration much like that of the orca (killer whales) -- with the distinct black and white pattern. However, being that I was now traveling in their territory, I didn't question their identification.
Later, however, after returning home, I posted the pictures--and a kind marine biologist noticed my naming error and told me that what we had seen in Alaska were Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). I looked up both animals on Google and was pleasantly suprised to see great images of both. So, what we saw in Alaska were the Pacific white-sided dolphins--and not Dall's porpoises.
Unlike many of the other times I've encountered dolphins and porpoises, in Alaska, I had a camera ready and was able to capture some pictures of these interesting animals!
You Can Have a Dolphin or Two of Your Own
And These Don't Eat Much!
Dolphin Fleece Blanket
You?ll flip for Flipper and his friend featured on more...0 points
Melissa & Doug Plush Stuffed Dolphin
Cuddle up to this adorable grey dolphin for sweet more...0 points
Dolphins Beach or Bath Sheet, Blanket, 100% Cotton, Fiber Reactive. 60in x 70in (101319)
Intelligent and playful dolphins having fun togeth more...0 points
Frolicking Dolphins Fleece Throw Blanket by Winston Brands
Comfy throw celebrates dolphins swimming in a sea more...0 points
Dolphins Polar Fleece Throw Blanket 50x60
This Swimming Dolphins Polar Fleece Throw blanket more...0 points
Read Up on Dolphins! Lots to learn about them!
To Touch a Wild Dolphin: A Journey of Discovery with the Sea's Most Intelligent Creatures by Rachel Smolker
In 1982, Rachel Smolker traveled to Monkey Mia, a remote more...0 points
Dolphin Mysteries: Unlocking the Secrets of Communication by Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Toni Frohoff
Dolphins have fascinated humans for millennia, giving more...0 points
Dolphins and Their Power to Heal by Amanda Cochrane, Karena Callen
Since ancient times dolphins have been known to uplift more...0 points
Dolphin Diaries: My 25 Years with Spotted Dolphins in the Bahamas by Dr. Denise L. Herzing
Dr. Denise Herzing began her research with a pod of more...0 points
The Wild Dolphin Project: Long-term Recearch of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins in the Bahamas by Denise L. Herzing
Observing dolphins underwater, on a regular basis, more...0 points
Dolphins! (Step into Reading) by Sharon Bokoske, Margaret Davidson
Illus. in full color. Chock-full of information about more...0 points
Dolphin Adventure:: A True Story by Wayne Grover
Eighty feet below the ocean's surface, Wayne Grove more...0 points
Everything Dolphin: What Kids Really Want to Know about Dolphins (Kids Faqs) by Marty Crisp
Dolphins captivate us with their intelligence, the more...0 points
Dolphin Treasure (Harper Trophy Books) by Wayne Grover
Wayne Grover and his friends are diving for treasure more...0 points
Dolphins and Porpoises in Action!
Explore the Wildlife Kingdom: Dolphins - Tribes of the Sea
Probably no other sea animal has captured our affe more...0 points
IMAX: Dolphins
Plunge into the realm of wild dolphins in this gre more...0 points
20 Years with the Dolphins
Follow Hardy Jones and Julia Whitty as they swim w more...0 points
Flipper / Flipper's New Adventure
The dolphin named Flipper swam into the world's aw more...0 points
Flipper - The Original Series, Season 1
They call him Flipper, Flipper, King of the Sea%u2 more...0 points
Flipper's New Adventure
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 08/09/2005 more...0 points
Flipper The Original Series Season 2
Brian Kelly, Luke Halpin, Tommy Norden - A friendly more...0 points
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Squid graphic courtesy of Squidoo Squid Graphics For Your Lenses! by GreekGeek.
Flipper on Flickr? Lots of dolphin and porpoise images here!
The Porpoise of this Section is for Your Comments!
So surface and go ahead and say something!
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BodyLanguageExpert
Feb 1, 2012 @ 12:32 pm | delete
- Dolphins are fascinating creatures. I love them, and they seem to bring a sense of well being to everyone who encounters them!
I've been lucky enough to see them in the deep waters around the Canary Islands. I hope one day to meet one while I'm having a swim.
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by EditorDave
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