This is why I do it.
I go out in my little boat, Snoopy, in the summer months and sometimes I come home with a bad back as a result. I drag my camera gear out there and usually come home with some photos of splashes or maybe nothing at all.
But sometimes … I have the best day of my life. One of those days when, in the middle of the action, I realize it is a day I will never forget. It is a day that I will remember on the bad days, when my mind wanders off and I start thinking that the world is full of only bad things. I’ll remember this day and know that the world is full of beautiful and incredible things too.
Like dolphins!!
It’s funny how these days often start out quiet, with brooding clouds, and a feeling that is it is day when absolutely nothing is going to happen.
I took my boat north, through a place called Seymour Narrows, where the current is so strong I can only go through during slack water. (For you non-boaters out there, slack happens when the tide is going to switch directions, so the current is running at it slowest.) That means I have about an hour to go back through the other way, or I have to wait 6 hours for the next slack before I can return.
I was heading up the strait when decision time came. And just then I thought I saw something way up in the distance. Looking through my binoculars, I wasn’t sure, but I thought maybe there was something there. So I decided to continue on and risk spending 6 hours in some harbour and hoping the weather didn’t take a turn for the worse.
What I saw looked a little something like this.
With a smile on my face and hope in my heart I headed up in the general direction of the pacific white-sided dolphins and wondered if they would choose to come and see me. You never know. Sometimes they swim away and sometimes they choose to come. Either way, it is their choice. I don’t hunt them down.
They played around this beacon for awhile and then they were gone. All was quiet. So I found myself a nice little spot for lunch and cut the engine.
A few minutes later I heard something I had never heard before. With no boats anywhere to be seen and surrounded only by wilderness, what was this strange sound? It was like an engine revving up.
And then the dolphin games began!
It turns out the sound was hundreds of dolphins all speeding up under water getting ready for what was the most incredible acrobatic show of marine mammals I have ever seen.
They were all around me, 360 degrees, close to the boat and far from the boat – all jumping in what was probably a mating display. There would be 3 on one side, then 4 on the other side, then a couple in the distance, then a few under the boat, then a few jumping above the bow. I cannot explain in words what this was like.
It was nearly impossible to photograph because the dolphins are incredibly fast and super agile so by the time I saw them jump, raised my camera and got focus, it was usually too late.
But this went on for over an hour, so I did manage to get some photos!
The best way I can explain what was happening is to imagine that all the photos in this post happened at the same time. It was truly remarkable. At one point I saw 10 dolphins in the air at the same moment in time.
This is not something that happens ever day. I am lucky to have a dolphin experience once or twice in a season. After 22 years of boating in BC, this was the most incredible dolphin experience of my life.
I was standing on the deck of my boat laughing and laughing and laughing. At one point I had to put down my camera and sit down, even though the dolphins were still jumping, just to catch my breath. I can remember saying out loud “I’m going to pay for this.”
And I did. Not 2 days later I injured my back again and spent the next 3 weeks unable to leave the RV. In August! Prime boating season. I was a bit upset about that, but I just kept thinking about “dolphin day” and how lucky I was to have that experience in my life.
Since it was so hard to photograph, I took some video footage to share with you too so you can have a better idea of the experience.
If you ever get a chance to come to British Columbia in the summer, I highly recommend you get out on the water and enjoy some of our amazing marine wildlife. Just remember to put down the camera and make sure you watch, listen, and take in the experience.
Daniel Brinneman says
February 12, 2019 at 6:23 pmI thoroughly enjoyed reading your experience with the dolphins. I’ve been following your blog since beginning of the year with the best photos post on Jim’s website.
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 3:54 pmHi Daniel, Glad you found me via Jim’s post – always a great way to find new photographers. The dolphins were truly a blast! Thanks for your visit and comments 🙂
Gord says
February 13, 2019 at 2:43 amWow, fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 3:54 pmThanks Gord, glad you enjoyed it.
Pat Jenkins says
February 13, 2019 at 9:17 amFantastic pictures again Anne – when you are next feeling low just look at these pics and video and you’ll realise how lucky you are to be able to see such wonderful sights.
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 3:55 pmThat’s exactly right, I know I’m going to do just that. Sometimes when things are bad it’s hard to remember that the good things exist, but that’s why I do photography. Thank you very much for your comments Pat.
Susan P Gutterman says
February 13, 2019 at 12:34 pmGorgeous photos!
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 3:55 pmThanks Susan!
Jackson Frishman says
February 13, 2019 at 12:48 pmThese are amazing, Anne!
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 3:55 pmThank you so much Jackson, always appreciated 🙂
Clarence King says
February 13, 2019 at 2:32 pmSpectacular dolphin pictures. There is nothing like a day when all the pieces fall into place.
Hope the back is better.
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 3:57 pmThank you Clarence. Yes, you gotta love those days when everything turns out right! Not to mention days when things are more spectacular that I dared to imagine!!
Fred A Bailey says
February 13, 2019 at 5:31 pmAnne:
As you know from my blogs, I have similar interests but am entirely gobsmacked at your photos. Those moments happen all-too rarely and you were clearly ready, with both experience and equipment. Fantastic! As a former tugboater I recognize the southern Johnstone Strait and the waters around Chatham Point.
Thanks for sharing.
Fred Bailey
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 4:04 pmHi Fred, I very much appreciate your comments. Sometimes people comment about luck, but it takes luck, experience and equipment! 🙂 You are quite right about the location. You’ll enjoy a photo I have that I haven’t published yet: it’s a tugboat going by the Cape Mudge Lighthouse with a big rainbow over it!! Thanks for your visit and comments.
Laurie MacBride says
February 14, 2019 at 4:36 pmFABULOUS!! Both the experience, and your photos, Anne – great job, amazing you were able to get as many good ones as you did considering how fast these guys move. (I’ve failed miserably in our dolphin encounters, even when surrounded by a superpod!) And the video is lovely too – also very well done!
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 4:06 pmGlad you enjoyed it Laurie. I completely understand what you are saying about failing miserably trying to photograph dolphin encounters. Believe me, I tried for many years and got nothing because they are so fast. Often now I don’t even try to look through the viewfinder, I just point my camera in the general direction and hope for the best. I seem to get better results that way believe it or not. Your comments are always appreciated 🙂
Linda T. says
February 14, 2019 at 4:40 pmWhat a wonderful surprising experience you had. The photos are fantastic.
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 4:07 pmIt truly was an amazing experience I will never forget. Thanks for your comments Linda.
Judy Hendren says
February 15, 2019 at 12:17 pmWow, what an exciting sight you got to witness, absolutely fantastic Anne, Love following your travels and experiences, you certainly made the best choice in life to hit the road.
I’ve just bought myself a wee camper-van and intend getting out and about in Australia, so much to see and do.
Cheers Judy
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 4:11 pmHi Judy, you are right, it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It was a hard one to make at the time because it seems scary to make such a drastic change. But honestly once the decision was made it wasn’t scary at all. I love my new mobile life!! Congrats on the camper van! We’ve often thought that Australia would be a great place to RV because you have a lot of things to see and big open spaces. I am little worried about giant spiders though. Now that’s scary!! Thanks for your comments.
ERROL BENNETT says
February 15, 2019 at 1:52 pmThank you for sharing this wonderful experience. Hope to witness it myself in person someday. Have seen the occasional jump but never this sequence. Enjoy !! Great photographs.
Anne McKinnell says
February 15, 2019 at 4:12 pmThank you very much Errol. I too hope you get a chance to see this one day. It’s well worth it to go on a whale / wildlife watching trip if you get out this way. I appreciate your kind comments 🙂
Sheila Newenham says
February 18, 2019 at 7:37 amWhat an amazing encounter. Reading about your special experience tears to my eyes. For an hour these amazing creatures accepted you as part of their environment. Wildlife encounters don’t get any better than that. Amazing (sharp!) images are the icing on the cake.
Anne McKinnell says
February 18, 2019 at 4:33 pmThank you so much Sheila. It is the most awe inspiring experience when wild animals accept your presence and choose to stay or even come towards you. While all this was going on, I kept imagining what kind of communication was going on between the dolphins. The acrobatics were so spectacular and seemingly choreographed, I couldn’t help but think that underwater they were hatching plans like “okay, let’s all jump and land with our noses together” or “back to back!” or “under the boat and jump on the other side” 🙂
Shikha Shrivastava says
February 22, 2019 at 4:35 pmAnne,
This is one of the finest work that I have seen on Dolphin Acrobatics in wild. Amazing work !
Anne McKinnell says
February 25, 2019 at 6:16 pmWow, thank you very much for such kind comments Shikha, I appreciate it 🙂
Ingrid says
February 27, 2019 at 9:04 amWow – a fantastic day indeed. Any day out on the water is a good day, but add in the making of stunning images turns it into a great day. Beautiful!
BTW … sorry to hear about your health issues. You may want to look into dietary restrictions. I’m no expert but have had my own health issues and there’s a ton of bloggers who share great info on the subject. You can Google Daniel Walker for starters and her struggle with an autoimmune problem and check out the “Whole 30” program to see if food has any baring on your health.
Anne McKinnell says
March 2, 2019 at 4:12 pmHi Ingrid, I agree, any day out on the water is a good day (well … unless mother nature gets angry and whips up a storm!). Thanks for the tip about the whole 30 program, I’ll look into that. I have had a lot of people recommend a plant based diet so it’s something I will investigate. Thanks for your comments.
Eric Johnson says
March 3, 2019 at 3:54 pmGreat shots, Anne! I’m often out in the waters off Long Beach, CA and in the channel between Long Beach and Catalina Island, on our small sail boat. We run into dolphins frequently and I know how difficult it is to photograph them. Rarely we get to run with a large pod and it is truly an exhilarating experience. Kudo’s for your persistence and great eye!
Anne McKinnell says
March 4, 2019 at 5:39 pmThank you very much Eric. I got to enjoy that piece of water last year when we went to Catalina for my 50th birthday. What a treat! And we did see dolphins along the way, although they were quite far from the boat. It must be nice to sail in those waters. Thanks for your visit and comments 🙂
Leticia says
March 5, 2019 at 10:21 amHello Anne,
WOW! Great photos and video. I started following your YouTube channel and will do as will with this one.
I’m an amateur photographer and I submit most photos on the natgeo “Your Shot”. I follow quite a few Canadians on that site and they see me with their photos as well.
Yourself and Ray provide very spectacular photos and videos alike. Great job!
Hope to someday meet up with you if we make our rv trip to Canada.
Thank you for your photos.
Anne McKinnell says
March 5, 2019 at 4:29 pmHi Leticia, thank you so much for your very kind comments about my photography. And thanks for following my YouTube channel too! I hope you do get a chance to RV in Canada, I think you’ll love it.
Don Dobson says
March 8, 2019 at 10:34 amTricia & I loved your dolphin photos, what an amazing experience, I’m so jealous. As a kid I spent 4 weeks on an oil tanker travelling from the UK to Iran and during that time my favourite pastime was leaning over the prow watching the porpoises (?) gambling in the bow wave: quite magical.
I hope they are still there when we are heading north thro’ Seymour Narrows on board MS Volderdam on 12 June. A cruise was Tricia’s choice, not mine! We’ll give you a wave as we pass C R.
I trust that you and Ray are enjoying the sun.
Anne McKinnell says
March 13, 2019 at 9:36 amHi Don and Tricia! Great to hear from you and glad you enjoyed the dolphin photos. You’ll have a really good chance of seeing them on your cruise. It seems that is their favourite spot just north of Seymour Narrows. There hasn’t been nearly as much sun in the American southwest this winter as usual. But we can’t complain because the weather here is still better than the rest of North America where winter has been brutal this year. Hope you are fairing well on the other side of the pond. Thanks for your visit and comments!
Julie Harebottle says
March 8, 2019 at 4:43 pmAnne, What a delight to read your account of your encounter with the dolphins! The pictures and video you shared were magical. Thanks for sharing.
Anne McKinnell says
March 13, 2019 at 9:36 amThank you so much Julia, I’m glad you enjoyed them and appreciate your comments!