Tag Archives: Bottlenose Dolphins

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Craig Tooley was out at Black Point Beach at The Sea Ranch when he noticed dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins!

Bottlenose dolphins by Craig Tooley

A bottlenose dolphin by Craig Tooley

I sent Craig’s photos to Bill Keener of Golden Gate Cetacean Research. He wrote, “Wow, these are great shots, and I can immediately recognize the individual dolphins here! In the background is Allure, in the middle is Bliss, a female who had a calf two years ago, and in the foreground is Fletcher.
“They have all been sighted fairly recently in the SF Bay Area. This is valuable information. We are working on a scientific paper with all the dolphin researchers in California describing how the coastal bottlenose stock is expanding its range north. Craig’s photos are one more set of data that prove it.”

It is the dorsal fin that allows scientists like Bill to identify individual animals. It’s exciting to be able to contribute to Bill’s research through our citizen science, and with the talent of a great photographer like Craig.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

To learn more about the Golden Gate Cetacean Research organization, here is their website: http://www.ggcetacean.org/

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Anne Mary Schaeffer was at Manchester Beach when she spotted a half-dozen Bottlenose Dolphins.

Bottlenose dolphins by Anne Mary Schaefer

Bottlenose Dolphins, also called Bottle-nosed Dolphins or Gray Dolphins, are extremely intelligent. They seem to be fascinated with humans. They can grow to thirteen feet in length.

Here are a couple of photos of these dolphins, taken by Allen Vinson off of Walk-on Beach on The Sea Ranch.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins by Allen Vinson

Here these dolphins are surfing a wave.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins riding a wave by Allen Vinson

Thanks to Anne Mary and Allen for allowing me to share their photos with you here.