"Where'd that baby go?" Dolphin calf at Grice Marine Lab

The calf was one of the most interesting dolphins I saw down at Grice. He seemed to know I had a camera, because as soon as I'd put it down to "just watch," he'd start spy-hopping and jumping... and as soon as I picked it back up, he would just swim around contentedly. Little bugger!

But here he is. I suspect this to be a case of aggression, that the calf is with his mother (or another older female) and the two dolphins with their heads out of the water are allied males (I know there was at least one pair out there). Notice how the female coaxes the calf to her right side, away from the other two dolphins, and how the encounter seems almost violent. I don't think the little guy was hurt, though.

And by the way, I'm not sure whether the calf was male or female. It just seems cold to keep saying "it" when I feel as I do about animals. And yes, I talk to myself. Love it or leave it.... :-)

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• baby
• dolphin
• calf
• water
• cute