Porpoises and Dolphins

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The Dolphins and Porpoises -- the More Famous Members of the Marine Mammals that Resemble Fish

It was while I was a kid growing up in New Mexico that I'd come home from school to watch the weekly series television show of Flipper--a show that featured a Marine Park Ranger and his family... and their sort-of "pet", a friendly and curious dolphin they named "Flipper". The show was a fantastic and fascinating show. I also enjoyed watching the shows of the Ocean World of Jacques Cousteau--again, the fascinating scenes presented and the animals described always kept my interest.

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.
Full-length view of an Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin

Full-length view of an Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin 

A pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins between Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

A pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins between Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 

Decorative Dolphins! Art with a Porpoise!

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The Friendly Creatures of the Sea!

type=textI 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.
A Pacific white-sided dolphin folicking in a ship's wake, Inside Passage near Ketchikan, Alaska

A Pacific white-sided dolphin folicking in a ship's wake, Inside Passage near Ketchikan, Alaska 

Dolphins and Porpoises by the Bay..... eBay, That Is!

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Dolphin getting a close-up look!

Dolphin getting a close-up look! 

Dolphins, Porpoises, and Ships

Pacific white-sided dolphins leaping out of the water between Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaWe recently traveled to Juneau, Alaska and on the way back, also visited Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada before returning to Seattle, Washington. And on that cruise, there were times, particularly while traversing the Inside Passage, that pods of dolphins came alongside our ship and played and frolicked in the bow waves. There were times when it seemed like there were at least 30 individuals in the pod.

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

Dolphin Fleece Blanket

You?ll flip for Flipper and his friend featured on more...0 points

Melissa & Doug Plush Stuffed Dolphin

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)

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

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

Dolphins Polar Fleece Throw Blanket 50x60

This Swimming Dolphins Polar Fleece Throw blanket more...0 points

Pacific white-sided dolphins leaping out of the water between Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Pacific white-sided dolphins leaping out of the water between Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dolphin Treasure (Harper Trophy Books) by Wayne Grover

Wayne Grover and his friends are diving for treasure more...0 points

Two dolphins playing together

Two dolphins playing together 

Dolphins and Porpoises in Action!

Explore the Wildlife Kingdom: Dolphins - Tribes of the Sea

Explore the Wildlife Kingdom: Dolphins - Tribes of the Sea

Probably no other sea animal has captured our affe more...0 points

IMAX: Dolphins

IMAX: Dolphins

Plunge into the realm of wild dolphins in this gre more...0 points

20 Years with the Dolphins

20 Years with the Dolphins

Follow Hardy Jones and Julia Whitty as they swim w more...0 points

Flipper / Flipper's New Adventure

Flipper / Flipper's New Adventure

The dolphin named Flipper swam into the world's aw more...0 points

Flipper - The Original Series, Season 1

Flipper - The Original Series, Season 1

They call him Flipper, Flipper, King of the Sea%u2 more...0 points

Flipper's New Adventure

Flipper's New Adventure

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 08/09/2005 more...0 points

Flipper

Flipper

Dive into adventure in the sun-drenched Florida Ke more...0 points

Flipper The Original Series Season 2

Flipper The Original Series Season 2

Brian Kelly, Luke Halpin, Tommy Norden - A friendly more...0 points

Pacific white-sided dolphins leaping out of the water between Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Pacific white-sided dolphins leaping out of the water between Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 

Create your own collection of Squidoo lenses by starting here!

Just click on the icon below -- it's easy, it's fast, and best of all, it's FUN!

Squid graphic courtesy of Squidoo Squid Graphics For Your Lenses! by GreekGeek.

Flipper on Flickr? Lots of dolphin and porpoise images here!

Since Flickr sort of randomly picks out photo images of dolphins and porpoises at random based on the keywords "dolphin" and "porpoise", sometimes you'll get some strange images below. If you want to see more images, just click on one of the images below, then enter the keywords in the "Search" field on the Flickr page. You'll be amazed at what pictures you'll bring up!
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The Porpoise of this Section is for Your Comments!

So surface and go ahead and say something!

  • 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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EditorDave

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Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

A Dolphin of Your Own... You can even hug it! 

Melissa & Doug Plush Stuffed Dolphin

Amazon Price: $25.72 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

You can sleep with this dolphin (and not worry about coming up for air!)... This dolphin makes an excellent pillow or room decoration, too!

You Can Max Out Your Dolphin Urge with IMAX Video! 

IMAX: Dolphins

Amazon Price: $6.49 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

The good things about dolphins is that they move a lot--they are very active--which makes for great video! This is a great video to share with your kiddos!

A Blanket With a Porpoise ... or Dolphins as That May Be! 

Dolphin Fleece Blanket

Amazon Price: $24.90 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

If you are all wrapped up with dolphins... you can really wrap yourself with this blanket.... covered with dolphins!