Strait of Gibraltar
These recordings were made in Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar while observing whales and dolphins by the Swiss foundation FIRMM . Many thanks to Katharina Heyer and everyone involved who made this possible. I can warmly recommend this unique experience! Everyone should be able to get this close to wild whales and dolphins at least once in their lifetime. From July to August is the season when you can find orcas (killer whales, killer whales) in the Strait of Gibraltar in addition to the native pilot whales and three species of dolphins.
Fig. 1: Baby pilot whale: A baby pilot whale jumps out of the water — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Provia 100F, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 2: Sperm Whale: A sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) about to dive. The Sperm Whale can be easily recognized by its blowhole, which is slanted to the side. — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 3: Sperm Whale: The fluke of a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) diving down — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 4: Sperm whale: The fluke of a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) diving down — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 5: Katharina Heyer and FIRMM: Katharina Heyer keeps an eye out for whales and dolphins. She is the founder of the Swiss foundation FIRMM , dedicated to the study and protection of marine mammals, particularly those in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 6: Dolphins on the bow wave: Dolphins ride on the bow wave of the freighter Pleione and jump exuberantly out of the water. — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 7: Bottlenose dolphin jumping: A bottlenose dolphin jumping out of the water in front of our boat — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 8: Seagulls: Two seagulls — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 9: Pilot whale: A pilot whale (Globicephala melas) peers curiously out of the water. The sun and the boat are reflected on his head. — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 10: Bottlenose dolphins: Although the animals are sometimes close enough to touch, you shouldn't touch them, as this will frighten you, as their skin is very sensitive. — Nikon F100, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 11: Cargo ships with smoke: An Indian cargo ship announces a message with smoke signals: "Help, our ship's diesel has no particle filter!". — Nikon F100, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, May 2005
Fig. 12: Dolphins on bow wave: Dolphins ride on the bow wave of a cargo ship. We had to go full throttle with our small boat to be able to keep up and we couldn't have gotten any closer. — Nikon D70, Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm 1:2.8, Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa, Spain, August 2005
Fig. 13: Warship: A Greek warship in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Nikon F100, Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Tarifa, Strait of Gibraltar, Spain, August 2005
Fig. 14: Pilot whale backstroke: A pilot whale swims on its back. He wasn't run over by the scout boat of the commercial competition Turmares in the background, but this is probably more as a sign of affection for the < a href="http://www.firmm.org/">Foundation FIRMM. They don't drive their boat right into the middle of the groups of whales and dolphins, but pull alongside and let the animals decide whether they want to come to the boat or not. — Nikon F100, Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm 1:2.8, Fujichrome Velvia 100F, Tarifa, Strait of Gibraltar, Spain, August 2005
Fig. 15: Striped Dolphin: A striped dolphin jumps out of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 16: Three Bottlenose Dolphins: Three bottlenose dolphins emerge from the water and gasp. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 17: Tarifa-Tangier fast ferry: The high-speed catamaran of the ferry connection between Tarifa (Spain) and Tangier (Morocco) of the FRS . — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 18: Bottlenose dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin gasps for air. Note that the dolphins always close their eyes when they briefly emerge from the water. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 19: Pilot Whale: A Pilot Whale appears right next to the boat and gasps for air. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 20: Pilot whales: Three pilot whales. The large, torpedo-like head serves as a sonar transmitter and receiver for underwater squid hunting. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 21: Common Dolphin: A common dolphin gasps for air. This species of dolphin is smaller than the striped and bottlenose dolphins. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 22: Common dolphin: A common dolphin (also: common dolphin) slices through the water surface. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 23: FIRMM boat: The larger boat of the FIRMM . — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 24: Jumping dolphin: A dolphin jumps out of the water in high spirits. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 25: Bottlenose dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin emerges from the water. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 26: Bottlenose dolphin with blisters: A bottlenose dolphin just surfacing. Just before they cut through the water surface, the animals exhale and as soon as the breathing hole is above water, they inhale again. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 27: Bottlenose Dolphin: Water splashes as a bottlenose dolphin surfaces to breathe. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 28: Bottlenose Dolphin with Rainbow: A bottlenose dolphin appears in front of the boat and the water splashes break the sunlight into a rainbow. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 29: Bottlenose Dolphin with Rainbow: A bottlenose dolphin appears in front of the boat and the water splashes break the sunlight into a rainbow. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 30: Two porpoises under water: Two porpoises swim with the boat just below the surface of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 31: Three bottlenose dolphins swim with the boat. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 32: Eye to eye with a bottlenose dolphin swimming with the boat just below the surface of the water. In contrast to other whale watching companies, FIRMM never drives the boat directly into a group of whales or dolphins, but always parallel to it so as not to disturb them. If the animals want to, they come to the boat themselves. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 33: Pilot whale with bubbles: A pilot whale pushes through the water surface, exhales and produces air bubbles. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 34: Snorting Pilot Whale: A Pilot Whale surfaces and splutters the water to inhale. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 35: Zhen Hua 8: The "Zhen Hua 8", An impressive crane ship from ZPMC struggles through the Strait of Gibraltar. Even the Marinero Diego of the FIRMM boat has rarely seen anything like this. The ship transports port cranes to unload and load containers. I wonder how much draft the ship has that it doesn't tip over. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 36: Orca fins: Finally, after two attempts because of fog in the Strait of Gibraltar, it worked this morning. We spot a group of orcas swimming straight towards the tuna fishermen. The male's long, straight dorsal fin on the left gave these animals their second name: killer whales. The other three are probably females or young males. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2006 08:52:10
Fig. 37: Orca with a bow wave: A killer whale (lat. Orcinus orca) surfaces in the Strait of Gibraltar and gasps for air. Where's the nearest fishing boat with fresh, delicious tuna? Whale watching with the Swiss foundation FIRMM in Tarifa. Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 27 July 2006 09:11:01
Fig. 38: Orca doing a backstroke: Excited about the forthcoming tuna feast, this orca does a backswim and shows its large, round fins. I skipped the following pics this morning as the light wasn't great and the pics from the next day's ride are much better. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 27 July 2006 09:18:01
Fig. 39: Orca diving Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 27 July 2006 09:18:09
Fig. 40: Group of orcas Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 27 July 2006 09:28:06
Fig. 41: Group of orcas Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 27 July 2006 09:38:45
Fig. 42: Diving sperm whale: The fluke of a sperm whale diving in the distance. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 27 July 2006 09:45:13
Fig. 43: Group of orcas Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 27 July 2006 09:57:30
Fig. 44: Two Bottlenose Dolphins: Two bottlenose dolphins emerge briefly from the water and gasp for air. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 45: Two Bottlenose Dolphins: Two bottlenose dolphins emerge briefly from the water and gasp for air. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 46: Pilot whale splashing water: A pilot whale emerges and splashes water. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 47: Pilot whale baby: A pilot whale baby jumps out of the water and grins at the camera. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 48: Orcas between fishing boats Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 11:52:07
Fig. 49: Ocas with fishing boat Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 11:56:18
Fig. 50: Orcas with fishing boat: Three orcas and a fishing boat. The orcas come to the Strait of Giraltar every year from July to August, because that is when the fishermen of Spain and Morocco catch the tuna swimming out of the Mediterranean Sea with long fishing lines. The animals have noticed that someone else is doing the tedious work of catching them for them. In addition, tuna are usually too quick for the orcas. They wait for the tuna to bite, tire and be pulled up by the fishermen before nibbling them off the line in a flash. They knowingly leave the heads with the fishing hooks behind. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 11:56:40
Fig. 51: Baby Orca: A baby orca jumps out of the water. The light spots are not yet white, but orange-brown. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 11:56:55
Fig. 52: Spanish fishermen have cast out two lines and are waiting for a tuna to bite. Then the race with the orcas begins. Who gets the fish first? The orcas or the fishermen? It's understandable that the fishermen are angry with the orcas, especially since this type of fishing does not threaten the tuna population ... in contrast to the "Armadraba", the huge fishing labyrinth of nets in spring. The Spanish fishermen, on behalf of the Japanese, catch the tuna in bulk before they can swim to the Mediterranean Sea to spawn. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 12:10:19
Fig. 53: Moroccan fishermen on their small nutshell in the middle of the sea. It's backbreaking work, but the prospect of a €2,500 tuna catch is enticing - especially by Moroccan standards. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 12:11:26
Fig. 54: Orca among fishing boats: An orca pops up between the many fishing boats (sometimes up to 80 in the same place) a few times to get some air. Then they disappeared again for a few minutes to eat. Next time they'll show up somewhere else entirely. Very difficult to photograph as you are either on the wrong side of the boat or you are too far away or there is another boat in front of you. But this makes things all the more exciting. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 12:17:52
Fig. 55: Orca with fishing boat: An orca appears briefly between the many fishing boats to get a breath of air. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 12:18:08
Fig. 56: Orca taking a breath: An orca comes up for air a few times between its tuna feasts. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 12:18:11
Fig. 57: Orca gasps Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 28 July 2006 13:10:05
Fig. 58: jumping dolphins: A small common dolphin jumps out of the water at right angles to two others. The whole group must have included more than 100 animals. You didn't know where to look and where to aim. Photography is just a matter of luck. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 59: striped dolphin: a striped dolphin pierces the water surface to breathe. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 60: Dolphin side roll: A striped dolphin jumps out of the water with a high leap and rotates around its longitudinal axis. The autofocus hardly likes that, especially because you almost never know beforehand when and where a dolphin will jump out of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 61: Leaping Striped Dolphins: Striped dolphins are jumping out of the water. An earlier picture from this series showed three dolphins, but unfortunately the autofocus hadn't focused yet. The reject rate for this type of photography is around 90 percent or more - depending on how demanding you are. :-) — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 62: jumping striped dolphin: A striped dolphin is jumping out of the water and that too in full focus and with the light from the right side. Here, photography with serial images and release priority is necessary. — Strait of Gibraltar
Fig. 63: Container Ship: A nice little container ship. He probably has cars on board, because many containers are labeled "Hyundai". — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 08:56:53
Fig. 64: Jumping Bottlenose Dolphin: Yes, finally a jumping bottlenose dolphin in the right light, moment with everything and caught sharply. The best show usually takes place at the front of the boat. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=92 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 09:08:41
Fig. 65: Bottlenose dolphin jumping: And another picture of the same jump. Had to rotate and crop it a bit as the horizon was crooked. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=92 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 09:08:41
Fig. 66: Jumping Bottlenose Dolphin: Well, as is so often the case, the bottlenose dolphin here is a bit too far away to capture his jump nicely. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 09:13:10
Fig. 67: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin with its head above water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 17:47:33
Fig. 68: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin shooting out of the sea. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=105 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 17:53:17
Fig. 69: Jumping Bottlenose Dolphin: This bottlenose dolphin jumped out of the water several times in a row and threw itself to one side. In the background you can still see Tarifa, the southernmost town in Europe. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 17:55:37
Fig. 70: Leaping Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin jumping out of the water and throwing itself onto its side. In the background you can still see Tarifa, the southernmost town in Europe. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 23 July 2007 17:56:35
Fig. 71: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 10:45:37
Fig. 72: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 10:55:34
Fig. 73: Katharina Heyer, the founder of the FIRMM Foundation — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:04:16
Fig. 74: Pilot whale: A common pilot whale (Globicephala melas) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:10:27
Fig. 75: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:10:50
Fig. 76: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). This is the follow-up image of an almost perfect shot of a jump. Unfortunately, the nose was cut off in the picture. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:13:14
Fig. 77: Young pilot whale: A young pilot whale with its mother. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=185 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:22:17
Fig. 78: Young pilot whale: A young pilot whale with its mother. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=92 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:22:24
Fig. 79: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=175 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:28:33
Fig. 80: Tanker Filikon: The tanker Filikon. As you will see in the next few pictures, there are a few bottlenose dolphins riding in its bow wave. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:29:30
Fig. 81: Bow wave riding: Bottlenose dolphins riding waves in the bow wave of a large tanker. Morocco is in the background. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:30:12
Fig. 82: Bow wave riding: Bottlenose dolphins riding waves in the bow wave of a large tanker. In the background you can see Morocco. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 11:30:25
Fig. 83: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin diving — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 15:38:30
Fig. 84: Pilot Whale: A baby pilot whale — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 18:38:52
Fig. 85: Moroccan fishermen on their small nutshell try to catch a tuna in the evening sun. In the background the mainland of Morocco. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 19:07:06
Fig. 86: Moroccan fishermen on their small nutshell try to catch a tuna in the evening sun. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=86 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 19:07:24
Fig. 87: Moroccan fishermen on their small nutshell try to catch a tuna in the evening sun. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/800 s; f=200 mm; f/22.0; ISO 400; 24 July 2007 19:08:50
Fig. 88: FIRMM Boat: The small boat by FIRMM . On the left of the picture on the railing is Jörn Selling, one of the marine biologists who has been with us for many years. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 10:37:59
Fig. 89: Underwater Film: The Stella Maris Film film crew at work on the film "The Last Giants - when the sea dies " about the whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar. The underwater film camera is presented to the diver. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 10:45:58
Fig. 90: Underwater Film: The Stella Maris Film film crew at work on the film "The Last Giants - when the sea dies " about the whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar. Snorkeling in the Strait of Gibraltar is not without its dangers. As you can see here, there is constant traffic with large ships. There are also strong currents. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 10:48:01
Fig. 91: Underwater Film: The Stella Maris Film film crew at work on the film "The Last Giants - when the sea dies " about the whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar. A snorkeler can still be seen among the pilot dwales. In the background a gigantic container freighter. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 10:49:36
Fig. 92: Zodiac with Tarifa-Jet: Just be careful not to get under the ferry. Stella Maris Film film crew at work on the film "The Last Giants - when the sea dies ". — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 10:57:30
Fig. 93: Whale-Watchers watch the film crew of Stella Maris Film as they film "The Last Giants - when the sea dies ". — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 10:59:09
Fig. 94: Zodiac with Pilot Whale: The Stella Maris Film film crew at work on the film "The Last Giants - when the sea dies " about the whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar. Camerawoman Kathleen Herbst films a pilot whale by the rubber dinghy. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 11:00:34
Fig. 95: Scuba Plankton. The two cameramen from Stella Maris Film in the middle of the Strait of Gibraltar. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 11:01:11
Fig. 96: Film team: The film team from Stella Maris Film with Michael Weyhers, Daniele Grieco, Kathleen Herbst (from left to right) is visibly over the moon about the close encounter with pilot whales underwater in the Strait of Gibraltar. The film "The Last Giants - When the Sea Dies " shot here opened in September 2009 in cinemas. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=100 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 11:11:29
Fig. 97: Photoshoot: The Stella Maris Film film crew at the photoshoot. The film "The Last Giants - When the Sea Dies " shot here opened in September 2009 in cinemas. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=105 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 27 July 2007 11:12:31
Fig. 98: Bottlenose dolphin fluke: A bottlenose dolphin shows his fluke just before he slaps it on the water and splashes everyone wet. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 12:50:53
Fig. 99: Bottlenose dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin pushes through a wave. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 12:54:50
Fig. 100: Pilot whale: A young pilot whale — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=155 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:49:34
Fig. 101: Mola Mola: A mola mola (sunfish). We met at least one of them on every trip. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:52:08
Fig. 102: Gray on grey: Bottlenose dolphins leaping in the colorless Strait of Gibraltar as the sun hides behind a cloud. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 10:59:04
Fig. 103: Bottlenose dolphins: Two bottlenose dolphins against the light. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 10:59:26
Fig. 104: Pilot whale: A pilot whale approaches the boat — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=165 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:03:21
Fig. 105: Dolphin: A dolphin approaches the boat — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:03:28
Fig. 106: Pilot whales: Three pilot whales approach the boat, snorting. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:06:03
Fig. 107: Bubble-crowned dolphin: Dolphins exhale just before they emerge from the water surface. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:15:31
Fig. 108: Dolphin: A dolphin looks out of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:15:56
Fig. 109: Injured Pilot Whale: A poor injured Pilot Whale that probably had half of its dorsal fin ripped off by a fishing hook or a ship's propeller. Compared to the other pilot whales, this one moved more slowly through the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:43:39
Fig. 110: Bottlenose dolphins: — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=112 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 16:17:06
Fig. 111: Bottlenose dolphins: — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=155 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 16:17:09
Fig. 112: Good Hope Max: Two bottlenose dolphins jumping in front of the cargo ship "Good Hope Max" — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:43:56
Fig. 113: Good Hope Max: Two bottlenose dolphins jump and do somersaults in front of the cargo ship "Good Hope Max". — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:44:31
Fig. 114: Good Hope Max: Two bottlenose dolphins jump and do somersaults in front of the cargo ship "Good Hope Max". — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:44:31
Fig. 115: Bottlenose Dolphin: One of the rare days without wind in the Strait of Gibraltar. The sea was smooth as glass and you could watch the animals in the clear water like in a huge aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:56:04
Fig. 116: Pregnant bottlenose dolphin: A pregnant bottlenose dolphin lady who proudly showed us her big belly over and over again. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:56:40
Fig. 117: Clapping female bottlenose dolphin: The pregnant female bottlenose dolphin swims on her back and smacks her fluke on the water surface. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=112 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:58:52
Fig. 118: Two bottlenose dolphins: Rarely is the water in the Strait of Gibraltar so smooth that you can watch the animals like in an aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:00:18
Fig. 119: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin swims through the calm surface of the water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:02:22
Fig. 120: Two bottlenose dolphins: — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:02:51
Fig. 121: Bottlenose dolphins clapping: Two bottlenose dolphins swim in front of the boat and smack the surface of the water with their flukes. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:03:23
Fig. 122: Bottlenose dolphin at the bow: A bottlenose dolphin swims through the clear water almost within reach in front of the bow of the ship "Firmm Sprit" — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:04:27
Fig. 123: Bottlenose dolphins swimming in pairs: Two bottlenose dolphins swim side by side. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:05:19
Fig. 124: Back to back: Two bottlenose dolphins swim back to back in the crystal clear calm water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=145 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:05:21
Fig. 125: Bottlenose dolphin jumping: A young bottlenose dolphin jumps a little out of the water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:06:19
Fig. 126: Clapping: A bottlenose dolphin swims on its back and smacks the surface of the water with its fluke. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:06:36
Fig. 127: Bottlenose dolphin shows belly: A bottlenose dolphin shows its belly just below the surface of the water. The calm water makes it look almost like an underwater shot. Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to photograph dolphins while diving. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:07:02
Fig. 128: Smooth as glass: A tumulus pierces the mirror-smooth surface of the water. It is rarely so windless in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:09:44
Fig. 129: Bottlenose dolphins under water: The water was so calm that day that it was like watching the animals in an aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:10:14
Fig. 130: Bottlenose dolphin: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the mirror-smooth surface of the water. It is rarely so windless in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:10:34
Fig. 131: Bottlenose dolphins under water: Two bottlenose dolphins under water. The calm surface makes it almost look like an aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.2; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:37:28
Fig. 132: Bottlenose dolphin: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the mirror-smooth surface of the water. It is rarely so windless in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:39:47
Fig. 133: Bottlenose Dolphin: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the surface of the water to breathe. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=135 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:40:10
Fig. 134: Bottlenose Dolphin: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the surface of the water to breathe. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:40:31
Fig. 135: Bottlenose Dolphin with Air Bubbles: A bottlenose dolphin gasps for air just below the surface of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 15:10:58
Fig. 136: Two striped dolphins cut through the water surface. These certainly swim twice as fast as bottlenose dolphins and are therefore difficult to photograph. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.5; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:03:33
Fig. 137: Striped Dolphin: Nice how this striped dolphin literally cuts through the water surface with its snout. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=120 mm; f/2.8; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:06:13
Fig. 138: Striped Dolphin taking a breath. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.2; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:16:47
Fig. 139: Striped Dolphin: How lucky! A striped dolphin jumps out of the water and the picture is even more sharp! This species is more difficult to photograph as they are smaller than the bottlenose dolphin and are probably twice as fast and lively. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=145 mm; f/4.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:19:19
Fig. 140: Striped Dolphin: A leaping striped dolphin. This is the same jump as the previous picture and I held the shutter button down. But the Nikon D200 only manages 5 frames per second. The perfect photo at the apex of the jump would have been somewhere in between. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=145 mm; f/4.5; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:19:19
Fig. 141: Pilot whale: Snorting pilot whale, where you can clearly see the eye and the mouth. They don't usually get that far out of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:32:29
Fig. 142: Pilot whales: Two pilot whales approach the boat. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=165 mm; f/4.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:39:15
Fig. 143: Pilot whales: Two pilot whales approach the boat. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=165 mm; f/4.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:39:16
Fig. 144: Newborn pilot whale: A mother pilot whale proudly showed us her recently born baby. It was still wrinkled from the labor pains and was still gasping for air a little awkwardly. I guess it was only a few hours old. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:40:32
Fig. 145: Pilot whale mother with baby: A fresh pilot whale mother with her still shriveled, few hours old baby. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:40:32
Fig. 146: Bottlenose Dolphins Leaping: Two bottlenose dolphins leap out of the water in the far distance. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 18:47:03
Fig. 147: Bottlenose dolphin jumping: A bottlenose dolphin jumps out of the water. Well caught, but unfortunately too far away. The picture is greatly enlarged. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 18:52:57
Fig. 148: Bottlenose dolphin jumping: A bottlenose dolphin jumps out of the water. Well caught, but unfortunately too far away. The picture is greatly enlarged. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 18:52:58
Fig. 149: Bottlenose Dolphin: A bottlenose dolphin with nice saltwater bladders on its back. One of my friend Sandra's first dolphin photos — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:10:47
Fig. 150: Two pilot whales. The upper one is still a juvenile, recognizable by its grayish color. Sandra's photo. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:18:41
Fig. 151: Dolphin with freighter. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 12:16:05
Fig. 152: Bottlenose dolphin: photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:07:30
Fig. 153: Young Pilot Whale. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:08:55
Fig. 154: Pilot whales. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:09:25
Fig. 155: Pilot whale with porpoise. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:10:19
Fig. 156: Two Porpoises. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:21:21
Fig. 157: Two Porpoises with rainbow in the spray. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/3.2; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:21:21
Fig. 158: Bottlenose Dolphin with Bubbles: A dreamy image of a bottlenose dolphin gasping for air in the clear calm water and donning a silvery crown of bubbles. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 13:01:55
Fig. 159: Back to back: Two bottlenose dolphins swim back to back close to the surface of the water. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 13:11:07
Fig. 160: Back to back: Two bottlenose dolphins swim back to back close to the water surface. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 13:11:07
Fig. 161: Bottlenose Dolphin in Clear Water: A dreamlike image of a Bottlenose Dolphin gasping for air in the clear calm water and donning a silvery crown of air bubbles. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 15:44:17
Fig. 162: Two Bottlenose Dolphins: Two bottlenose dolphins in calm water. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=34 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 16:17:13
Fig. 163: Pilot whale mother with baby: My friend Sandra was luckier and caught the pilot whale baby from the front. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 18:45:42
Fig. 164: Crack in the evening light: A crack in the evening light, unfortunately not from the most advantageous perspective. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 20:05:00
Fig. 165: Splash! A bottlenose dolphin drops on its side onto the water surface. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 20:05:05
Fig. 166: Two striped dolphins Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=45 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 4 June 2012 13:33:51
Fig. 167: Sperm Whale Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 5 June 2012 10:43:28
Fig. 168: Striped Dolphin Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 6 June 2012 14:24:44
Fig. 169: Striped Dolphin Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 6 June 2012 14:26:03
Fig. 170: Porpoise Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 7 June 2012 11:04:49
Fig. 171: Porpoise Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 7 June 2012 11:06:20
Fig. 172: Porpoise Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 7 June 2012 11:08:47
Fig. 173: Porpoise Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 7 June 2012 11:08:48
Fig. 174: Porpoise Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/4.5; ISO 400; 7 June 2012 11:09:07
Fig. 175: Catherine Heyer Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=80 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 09:20:20
Fig. 176: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=180 mm; f/5.3; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 09:53:13
Fig. 177: Sperm Whale Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=80 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 10:09:23
Fig. 178: Sperm whale with ship Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=145 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 10:10:54
Fig. 179: Sperm Whale Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=400 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 10:13:59
Fig. 180: Civil Guard Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=80 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 10:50:45
Fig. 181: Fishing boat Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=400 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 13:09:39
Fig. 182: Fishing boats Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=400 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 13:10:25
Fig. 183: Striped Dolphins Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=240 mm; f/7.1; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 13:22:32
Fig. 184: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/2000 s; f=400 mm; f/7.1; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 13:24:25
Fig. 185: Sperm whale: Here you can clearly see that the blowhole of the sperm whale points asymmetrically to its left side. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/14.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 13:49:30
Fig. 186: Sperm Whale: A Sperm Whale sticks its snout out of the water. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 14:02:52
Fig. 187: Sperm Whale Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=230 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 16:11:26
Fig. 188: Sperm Whale Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 4 June 2012 16:26:53
Fig. 189: Sperm Whale Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=260 mm; f/11.0; ISO 640; 5 June 2012 10:30:12
Fig. 190: Striped Dolphins Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 6 June 2012 14:07:20
Fig. 191: Striped Dolphin Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=300 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 6 June 2012 14:08:14
Fig. 192: Striped Dolphin Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 6 June 2012 14:09:33
Fig. 193: Striped Dolphin Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/6.3; ISO 800; 6 June 2012 14:09:40
Fig. 194: Common dolphin Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=280 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 6 June 2012 14:13:00
Fig. 195: Striped Dolphins Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 6 June 2012 14:36:36
Fig. 196: Edward Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/16.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 10:28:26
Fig. 197: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 10:41:28
Fig. 198: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 10:46:26
Fig. 199: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 10:51:33
Fig. 200: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/14.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 10:53:04
Fig. 201: Bottlenose dolphin swimming on its back: This bottlenose dolphin capers and falls backwards onto the water surface. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 10:53:05
Fig. 202: Jumping Bottlenose Dolphin: A jumping bottlenose dolphin. In English they are called "Bottlenose Dolphin". Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 10:53:58
Fig. 203: Costa Mediterranea: The sister ship of the Costa Concordia, which was sunk in January 2012 by the total idiot Francesco Schettino off the coast of Giglio. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=240 mm; f/18.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 11:27:40
Fig. 204: Sperm Whale: The fluke of a diving Sperm Whale, which is probably trying to escape from one of the many cargo ships. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=160 mm; f/14.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 13:48:10
Fig. 205: Sperm whale: The dorsal fin of a sperm whale is only stubby. On the horizon a huge container ship from MOL (Mitsui O.S.K Lines) . Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=135 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 7 June 2012 14:16:44
Fig. 206: Pilot whale with baby Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=250 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 8 June 2012 11:04:14
Fig. 207: Bottlenose dolphins: Two bottlenose dolphins sew head to head on the boat. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 8 June 2012 11:20:15
Fig. 208: Sperm Whale: The fluke of a Sperm Whale diving in the distance. Either we scared him away or more likely he's running to safety from one of the many huge cargo ships in the Strait of Gibraltar. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 8 June 2012 13:21:02
Fig. 209: Pilot Whale Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/6.3; ISO 800; 10 June 2012 10:49:12
Fig. 210: Pilot whale: Finally a nice pilot whale photo. He swims towards the camera, sticking his head out of the water so you can see one eye and the mouth. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 10 June 2012 10:54:37
Fig. 211: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=135 mm; f/7.1; ISO 800; 10 June 2012 10:57:05
Fig. 212: Porpoise Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 10 June 2012 11:06:27
Fig. 213: Two pilot whales swim through the picture, spluttering. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 June 2012 11:12:17
Fig. 214: Two pilot whales Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/5.0; ISO 800; 11 June 2012 11:12:28
Fig. 215: Three pilot whales Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 11 June 2012 11:13:04
Fig. 216: Three pilot whales Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=165 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 11 June 2012 11:13:27
Fig. 217: Jumping Bottlenose Dolphin: A jumping dolphin (porpoise) is shown from behind. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/5.0; ISO 1000; 12 June 2012 09:47:17
Fig. 218: firmm Fly Blue: The pride of firmm. The new boat "Fly Blue". Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=400 mm; f/9.0; ISO 200; 12 June 2012 14:45:43
Fig. 219: Mola Mola: A Sunfish (Mola Mola) stretches its dorsal fin out of the water. You can spot them from afar because their dorsal fin wiggles from left to right, not up and down like dolphins. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/5.0; ISO 800; 13 June 2012 09:51:59
Fig. 220: Two pilot whales swim close to each other. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 13 June 2012 10:19:56
Fig. 221: Pilot whale: A pilot whale sticks its head out of the water. They are beautiful animals, but as photogenic as a car tire. Nikon D3; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 13 June 2012 10:21:12
Fig. 222: Pilot whale mother with young: Very young pilot whales take a clumsy breath and often jump out of the water. The chance to photograph something more than just the back and forehead. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=240 mm; f/5.3; ISO 250; 14 April 2019 14:19:23
Fig. 223: Baby Pilot Whale: The vertical stripes reveal that it must be a newborn a few days old. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=80 mm; f/4.5; ISO 220; 14 April 2019 14:20:53
Fig. 224: Baby pilot whale: Pilot whale babies who are just a few days old often jump out of the water when they take a breath. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/5.6; ISO 110; 14 April 2019 17:34:36
Fig. 225: Sperm whale fluke: Sperm whales make a hump just before diving. Then they fall straight down and stretch their fluke far out of the water. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 15 April 2019 11:48:00
Fig. 226: Bottlenose dolphin on bow wave Epic Barbados: A bottlenose dolphin rides on the bow wave of the LPG tanker "Epic Barbados". For such shots, a focal length of more than 400 mm is an advantage, since the boat is not allowed to get so close to the cargo ships. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 15 April 2019 12:04:18
Fig. 227: Leaping Striped Dolphins: A large group of striped dolphins swoops by so quickly it's hard to know where to point the lens. It's a lucky hit as the Nikon AF 80-400mm's autofocus isn't the fastest. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=175 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 15 April 2019 17:06:24
Fig. 228: Leaping striped dolphins with fuel tanks: A pod of striped dolphins pass by. In the background the Moroccan coast with fuel tanks. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=210 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 15 April 2019 17:06:45
Fig. 229: Bottlenose dolphin on bow wave: A bottlenose dolphin rides on the bow wave of a passing cargo ship. In the background the Moroccan coast. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 11:47:36
Fig. 230: Spyhopping young pilot whale: A curious young pilot whale looks far out of the water so that you can see the beautifully marked underside of its neck. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 11:58:03
Fig. 231: Young Pilot Whale Spyhopping: A curious young Pilot Whale sticks its head out of the water. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 11:58:04
Fig. 232: Moroccan Fishing Boats and Cargo Ship: Moroccan fishermen are hoping for some of the few tuna that have escaped the net maze of the Almadraba on the Spanish coast and are so confused and hungry that they are crossing the Strait of Gibraltar swim to the Mediterranean Sea to spawn. In the background a cargo ship that stayed there for a few days. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 12:11:04
Fig. 233: Three Moroccan fishermen in boat: Moroccan fishermen are hoping for some of the few tuna that escaped the net labyrinth of the Almadraba on the Spanish coast and are so confused and hungry that they are across the Strait from Swimming Gibraltar into the Mediterranean to spawn. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=185 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 12:13:16
Fig. 234: Jumping common dolphin: Unfortunately not quite sharp because the autofocus of the Nikon AF 80-400mm is too slow. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 12:19:27
Fig. 235: Common dolphin with air bubbles: Dolphins exhale just below the water surface as they surface, creating these beautiful bubbles. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=85 mm; f/4.8; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 12:21:04
Fig. 236: Sperm whale fluke Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 13:45:21
Fig. 237: Sperm whale Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 13:47:26
Fig. 238: Sperm whale fluke Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=210 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 13:49:03
Fig. 239: Two bottlenose dolphins on bow wave Halki Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 14:03:08
Fig. 240: Young pilot whale looks from below Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=175 mm; f/5.0; ISO 640; 16 April 2019 14:15:39
Fig. 241: Young pilot whale looks out of the water Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=175 mm; f/5.0; ISO 500; 16 April 2019 14:15:40
Fig. 242: Mola Mola Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=92 mm; f/4.8; ISO 560; 16 April 2019 14:26:20
Fig. 243: Cargo ship with smoke: When will there finally be an emissions standard for ocean-going ships? Cargo ships and cruise ships emit up to a million times more exhaust fumes than a car. A brownish haze hangs constantly over the Strait of Gibraltar with around 300 cargo ships per day passing through here. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=185 mm; f/13.0; ISO 400; 16 April 2019 17:46:22
Fig. 244: Container ship with smoke: Probably all empty containers in which all the useless plastic and electronic waste from China were transported earlier. And the ship blows tons of smelly exhaust gases and pollutes the atmosphere of our planet. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=300 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 18 April 2019 13:34:18
Fig. 245: Sperm whale fluke: The caudal fin (fluke) of a diving sperm whale. In the background the Spanish coast. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 11:02:40
Fig. 246: Rust bucket with plume of smoke: If this ship had wheels, it probably wouldn't get a license anymore, but everything is still allowed on the sea. Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=110 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 11:32:00
Fig. 247: Two pilot whales Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=85 mm; f/4.5; ISO 500; 19 April 2019 13:38:59
Fig. 248: Two pilot whales with rainbow Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=80 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 13:40:58
Fig. 249: Three pilot whales taking a breath Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=85 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 13:41:24
Fig. 250: Two pilot whales catching their breath Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=80 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 13:42:02
Fig. 251: Bottlenose dolphins taking a breath Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=150 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 13:57:58
Fig. 252: Moroccan fishermen with pilot whale Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=200 mm; f/11.0; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 14:17:27
Fig. 253: Two pilot whales with water drops Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=116 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 18:04:57
Fig. 254: Young pilot whale Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=260 mm; f/5.3; ISO 500; 19 April 2019 18:05:02
Fig. 255: Pilot whale belly Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=260 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 18:05:16
Fig. 256: Pilot whale rolling Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 18:05:24
Fig. 257: Jumping bottlenose dolphin Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=80 mm; f/14.0; ISO 400; 19 April 2019 18:25:09
Fig. 258: Motor ship with brake sail Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=220 mm; f/13.0; ISO 400; 20 April 2019 10:38:04
Fig. 259: Diving sperm whale with gulls Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=400 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 20 April 2019 16:40:11
Fig. 260: Group of pilot whales with young Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=145 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 22 April 2019 11:23:37
Fig. 261: Pilot whale spy hopping Nikon D850; Δt=1/1600 s; f=80 mm; f/4.5; ISO 900; 22 April 2019 14:41:34
Tips for whale photography with a digital SLR camera: Fast zoom lens with built-in AF motor, focal length range from 24 mm (directly on the boat) to 600 mm, exposure time min. 1/1000 s, Auto ISO, AF mode on release priority, back button Focus, series connection, UV filter as a splash guard on the lens. Aperture not wide open gives more depth of field. Bokeh is secondary as the motif is exposed enough on the water. Catching a subject and focusing on the right spot is hard enough. The small dolphins in particular are quick. Support yourself with your stomach or buttocks, so you can compensate for the movements of the boat with your upper body and legs. A high vantage point gives a better view and when the sea is calm you can see the animals under water, but you only get good photos when the animals are close enough to the boat and fill the picture format. A low point of view looks more natural and gives the picture depth, since the horizon is often in the picture, but with every movement of the telephoto lens a few degrees up and down, the AF has to change from a few meters away to infinity.
