Tarifa, Spain (2023)

These pictures were taken in Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar during whale watching with the Swiss Foundation FIRMM. Many thanks to Katharina Heyer and all the participants who made this possible. I can warmly recommend this unique experience! This was my eighth visit. See also the albums from May 2005, August 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2019 for even more photos. All pictures have been taken with Nikon D850 and a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM [S] telephoto lens. The focal length is too long for close encounters, but the autofocus is lightning fast.

Striped dolphins — Fig. 1: Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 11:18:26

Striped dolphins — Fig. 2: Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 11:18:32

Striped dolphins — Fig. 3: Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 11:19:32

Common dolphin — Fig. 4: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/5.0; ISO 720; 8 July 2023 11:24:15

Common dolphin — Fig. 5: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/5.0; ISO 450; 8 July 2023 11:24:33

Common dolphin — Fig. 6: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=330 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 11:27:47

Frachtschiffe — Fig. 7: Heavy traffic with cargo ships in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 11:50:16

Pilot whale — Fig. 8: A juvenile pilot whale (Globicephala melas) looks out of the water in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/5.0; ISO 500; 8 July 2023 11:52:23

Bottlenose dolphins — Fig. 9: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=270 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 12:02:45

Common pilot whales — Fig. 10: Common pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/5.0; ISO 640; 8 July 2023 12:14:50

Bottlenose dolphins — Fig. 11: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) riding bow waves in front of freighters in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 12:21:20

Common dolphin — Fig. 12: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 13:54:44

Common dolphin — Fig. 13: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=220 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 13:58:22

Moroccan fishermen — Fig. 14: Moroccan fishermen in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 14:13:39

Moroccan fishermen — Fig. 15: Moroccan fishermen with a caught tuna in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=165 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 14:19:43

Fin whales — Fig. 16: One of a group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=490 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 8 July 2023 15:17:44

Fin whales — Fig. 17: One of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) that crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=220 mm; f/11.0; ISO 640; 8 July 2023 15:28:20

Fin whales — Fig. 18: Blow of one of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) that crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=320 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 8 July 2023 15:29:05

Fin whales — Fig. 19: One of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) that crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=320 mm; f/10.0; ISO 640; 8 July 2023 15:29:08

Fin whales — Fig. 20: Blow of one of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) that crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=390 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 8 July 2023 15:37:33

Fin whales — Fig. 21: One of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) that crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=320 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 8 July 2023 15:38:13

Cargo ship — Fig. 22: Cargo ship in the Strait of Gibraltar with the lighthouse of Tarifa Nikon D850; Δt=1/2500 s; f=550 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 13:18:34

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 23: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) jumping in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/3200 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 13:36:24

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 24: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) jumps in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/3200 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 13:36:30

Bottlenose dolphins — Fig. 25: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) jumping in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/3200 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 13:39:31

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 26: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/3200 s; f=150 mm; f/6.3; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 13:40:31

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 27: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) jumping in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/3200 s; f=150 mm; f/6.3; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 13:40:53

Common pilot whales — Fig. 28: Common pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/3200 s; f=150 mm; f/8.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 13:49:34

Common dolphin — Fig. 29: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) jumping in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=175 mm; f/8.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 15:23:02

Common dolphin — Fig. 30: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) jumping in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=175 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 15:23:02

Common dolphins — Fig. 31: Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=210 mm; f/8.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 15:24:17

Moroccan fishermen — Fig. 32: Proud Moroccan fishermen with a caught tuna in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=220 mm; f/6.3; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 16:05:30

Common pilot whales — Fig. 33: Common pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/8.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 16:52:15

Common pilot whale — Fig. 34: A common pilot whale (Globicephala melas) turns on its back — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 16:53:16

Common pilot whales — Fig. 35: Common pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 16:54:19

Common pilot whales — Fig. 36: Common pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 16:54:37

Common pilot whale — Fig. 37: Common pilot whale (Globicephala melas) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=450 mm; f/8.0; ISO 640; 9 July 2023 17:33:00

Common dolphin — Fig. 38: Jumping common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=220 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 12:10:14

Common dolphin — Fig. 39: Jumping common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=350 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 12:10:25

Pilot whales — Fig. 40: A very young pilot whale (Globicephala melas) with its mother in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=290 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 12:39:00

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 41: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=240 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 12:41:57

Pilot whale — Fig. 42: A young pilot whale (Globicephala melas) looking out of the water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=400 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 12:50:50

Pilot whale — Fig. 43: A young pilot whale (Globicephala melas) looks out of the water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=290 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 12:51:01

Four pilot whales (Globicephala melas). One of them is a recently born baby and still very wrinkly — Strait of Gibraltar — Fig. 44: Four pilot whales (Globicephala melas). One of them is a recently born baby and still very wrinkly — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:01:47

Common pilot whales — Fig. 45: Common pilot whale (Globicephala melas) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:02:39

Fin whales — Fig. 46: Three of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:20:50

Sea gulls — Fig. 47: Sea gulls swimming on the water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:28:38

Fin whale — Fig. 48: The blow of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) of the group of four — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:28:59

Fin whales — Fig. 49: Two of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:29:29

Fin whales — Fig. 50: Two of the group of four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=270 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:29:45

Sea gull — Fig. 51: Flying sea gull above the water surface in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 13:32:17

Common dolphin — Fig. 52: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 16:39:52

Common dolphin — Fig. 53: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=210 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 16:42:59

Common dolphin — Fig. 54: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=340 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 16:44:11

Orca — Fig. 55: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:28:22

Orca — Fig. 56: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:28:22

Orca — Fig. 57: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:28:43

Orca — Fig. 58: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:29:22

Orca — Fig. 59: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:29:32

Orca — Fig. 60: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:29:40

Orcas — Fig. 61: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=185 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:34:28

Orca — Fig. 62: An orca (Orcinus orca) near the boat Firmm Spirit in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:35:41

Orca — Fig. 63: An orca (Orcinus orca) near the boat Firmm Spirit in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:35:58

Orca — Fig. 64: An orca (Orcinus orca) near the boat Firmm Spirit in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:36:16

Orcas — Fig. 65: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:38:40

Orcas — Fig. 66: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:41:48

Orcas — Fig. 67: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:42:43

Orcas — Fig. 68: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:42:55

Orca — Fig. 69: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:43:03

Orcas — Fig. 70: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=210 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:47:04

Orcas — Fig. 71: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=290 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:47:31

Orcas — Fig. 72: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:47:47

Orcas — Fig. 73: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 17:55:47

Orca — Fig. 74: Orca (Orcinus orca) in the middle of the fishing boats in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=250 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 18:03:46

Common dolphin — Fig. 75: Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) riding a bow wave in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=280 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 11 July 2023 18:31:33

Moroccan fishermen — Fig. 76: Moroccan fishermen with two caught tuna in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/1000 s; f=500 mm; f/14.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 10:48:21

Spanish fishermen — Fig. 77: Spanish fishermen with two caught tuna in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/1000 s; f=270 mm; f/16.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 10:50:12

Young pilot whale — Fig. 78: A young common pilot whale (Globicephala melas) with its mother in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/1000 s; f=600 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 11:40:54

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 79: Jumping bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 12:10:28

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 80: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/11.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 12:11:40

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 81: One of the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) riding a bow wave in the Strait of Gibraltar. Tarifa in the background. Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=600 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 12:14:24

Bottlenose dolphins — Fig. 82: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=200 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 12:16:46

Common pilot whale — Fig. 83: Common pilot whale (Globicephala melas) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/7.1; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 16:40:15

Pilot whale — Fig. 84: Pilot whale (Globicephala melas) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 16:55:35

Pilot whale — Fig. 85: Pilot whale (Globicephala melas) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/8.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 16:55:46

Bottlenose dolphin — Fig. 86: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/9.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 17:07:35

Bottlenose dolphins — Fig. 87: bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=210 mm; f/10.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 17:11:34

Wildfire in Morocco — Fig. 88: Wildfire in Morocco — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D850; Δt=1/2000 s; f=150 mm; f/13.0; ISO 800; 12 July 2023 17:24:10