The common dolphins, Delphinus delphis, known for their leaping abilities and bowriding, are always a welcome sight in the water. The joy they seem to share when at play is contagious, and a pleasant connection to the inhabitants of our sea world.

Bowriding is a remarkable marine phenomenon that I have observed many times. The dolphins burst in on the beam of a fast moving vessel and position their flukes so that the upwelling water from the bow pushes the animals forward with very little effort on their part. The dolphins then plane along ahead of the bow wave, comfortably supported by the rush of water under their pectoral fins.

SEA THREE