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Dolphin "Strand Feeding"
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Dolphin "Strand Feeding"

by Kate Silvia

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted April 24, 2013187 views8 comments
I've researched this behavior that some of the Bottlenose dolphins along the Carolina/Southeast coast portray. It's called "Strand Feeding" where the dolphins herd fish onto the shore and then have a feast. I went out with a few folks in kayak's early morning during the season that they demonstrate this behavior. I was very fortunate to not only witness it, but to capture it with my "big girl" camera instead of the waterproof point and shoot that I normally carry with me on the kayak. I believe that's mullet attempting to flee...

It's a really cool thing to see..and a learned behavior passed down generation by generation.

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on April 24, 2013 at 9:48 PM
Almost too much action! The fish in the air help to make this photo work. Do wish the heads of the dolphins were more visible. Still great behavior shot. Thanks for sharing. Would liked to have seen your techs for this shot.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Kate Silvia on April 24, 2013 at 9:54 PM
Thanks John! f/10 ISO 400, 1/640 second, Nikon D7000, 180mm on the 28-300 VR zoom. And here's a shot from the beach for ya!
Registered on January 12, 2009, 56 Posts, 158 Comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on April 24, 2013 at 10:23 PM
I had recently seen something on TV about this behavior in dolphins but that must have been really special to get to see this firsthand. Dolphins are such intelligent and amazing creatures. . .as evidenced by this behavior. The coordinated wall of attacking dolphins really gives those fish just nowhere to go. . .but up. As John said, the fish flying is what helps make this image.

I like your follow-up photo that further illustrates this behavior. :smile:
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by John Clulow on April 25, 2013 at 7:02 AM
In the first one, I really like the sort of counterpoint between the flying fish and the dolphin flipers (I guess they would be called flippers :confused: ) all of them in unison almost as if choreographed. It kind of reminds me of a seaside ballet :smile:
Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Rebmann on April 25, 2013 at 10:26 AM
wow! Not only a cool thing just to see, but also to be able to capture it so nicely.

Paul
Registered on July 17, 2012, 31 Posts, 122 Comments
Comment posted by Kate Silvia on April 25, 2013 at 10:41 AM
Thanks folks...You would think this was actually choreographed like you said John. They actually coordinate so well together...and for some reason...only do it on their right side as far as I could tell. I saw them strand feed about 7 times that morning at different locations along the riverfront...they always did it on their right side. I feel very fortunate to be witness to it! Nature is so amazing!!
Registered on January 12, 2009, 56 Posts, 158 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Lockhart on April 26, 2013 at 10:06 PM
Wow, really cool, Kate, and your explanation adds a lot to the photo. Looks like the dolphins are almost beaching themselves, but I suppose that's compression from a telephoto lens. Wondering if it could be straightened a little, but that may just be the angle from which you shot. Like the fish "frozen" in the air.
Jim
Registered on February 19, 2013, 91 Posts, 500 Comments
Comment posted by Kate Silvia on April 27, 2013 at 2:40 PM
The angle you're seeing is mostly the slope of the beach there. It had quite a drop-off...which probably helped the dolphins not get stranded themselves!
Thanks folks...truly a fascinating behavior.
Registered on January 12, 2009, 56 Posts, 158 Comments