Tag Archives: Risso’s Dolphins

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Maria Wilson took a three minute video of many dolphins last Saturday. Maria wrote, “I took this Saturday morning. It finishes with a whale joining the gang! We live near Iversen Point [north of Gualala] and this was just outside Island Cove.” I sent Maria’s video to Bill Keener of the Marine Mammal Center. He wrote, “Cool video of a large group of Risso’s Dolphins. And that looks like a Gray Whale surfacing near the end of the clip.”

In the video you will see a few of the dolphins breaching. Here is a photo Craig Tooley took of Risso's Dolphins a while ago.

They are known for traveling in big pods - they must like each other's company!

Thanks to Maria for allowing me to share her video and to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's a beautiful day, breezy and mild. We received .60 inches of rain Monday night, which was wonderful. 37.50 inches season to date at my place. 50 inches is a "normal" rainfall year.

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The calls and emails started coming in early this morning. Some people wondered if they were seeing Orcas but it was a pod of Risso's Dolphins. Craig Tooley was out and got this photo.

Craig also took this video:

You can read more about this sighting in this week's Independent Coast Observer which will be out on Thursday. Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo and video with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

The fog lifted this morning, allowing for great sightings today!

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Any day you see dolphins is a good day, right? Mike Reinhart saw them first, off the southern end of The Sea Ranch. As the pod of Risso's Dolphins, Grampus griseus, swam northward, John Batchelder got photos of them.

 

Here are two close-ups of Risso's Dolphins taken by Ron LeValley some years ago.

They are also called Gray Dolphins and they travel in large pods. They can dive at least 1,000 feet and can hold their breath for thirty minutes.

Thanks to John and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. John will have another photo he took in this week's Independent Coast Observe to go with my Mendonoma Sightings column. The ICO has print and on-line subscriptions. Why don't you join in the fun? http://www.mendonoma.com/

To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

We are having a showery day today. My best to you as we realize Spring doesn't know.

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Risso's Dolphins usually can't be seen from coastal bluffs, but a pod came close enough for Eric Zetterholm to photograph them with his long lens.

Risso's Dolphins follow their food source, Squid. Their bodies are marked with scratches from their encounters with the Squids' beaks. Risso's Dolphins are quite acrobatic. It's a treat to see them.

Here are two close-ups of a Risso's take by Ron LeValley on a pelagic trip.

Thanks to Eric and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/

With the warmth, wildflowers are blooming. Time to get out and see them!

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You look for an anomaly on the ocean - white caps when there are no other white caps or movement in the water. That often is Dolphins. Tom Eckles photographed a pod headed north and moving fast!

Risso's Dolphins by Tom Eckles

Here are two close-ups of a Risso's Dolphin, taken by Ron LeValley.Risso's Dolphin emerges by Ron LeValley Risso's Dolphin 1 by Ron LeValleyRisso's Dolphins feed on Squid. The older the dolphin is, the more scratches it has on its body. The scratches are caused by their interaction with other dolphins and from the squid they hunt. These dolphins are also called Grampus.

Thanks to Tom and to Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see more of Ron's nature photography, here is his website: http://levalleyphoto.com/home/ and to see more of Tom's photography, here is his website: www.tomeckles.com