Capturing the Moment

 We came across this rarely seen dolphin in deep water off the coast of the Big Island. We noticed some dorsal fins breaking the surface near one of the 'FAD's, or fish aggregating devices off Hawaii's Kona coast. I hadn't seen this species of dolphins in several years.    The rough-toothed dolphins are easy to identify if you know what you are looking for. They have an enlarged melon and relatively short beak which gives them a uniquely sloped forehead. It is rarely seen and poorly known. They live in very deep warm tropical waters around the world.  I sent these pictures in to our local odontocete research group so I'll report back with any updated news on this pod. There were about 12 individuals, one of which had a very easy to identify dorsal fin. You just never know what you are going to come across in the deep waters of the ocean.

Pygmy Killer Whale Encounter Written By Jessika Pacinich Photos by Dai Mar Tamarack   We were on the hunt. All eyes fixed on the rolling swell, everyone’s attention bent to a singular end: to find the pod of short finned pilot whales rumored to be hanging out in our location in the deep water off the Big Island of Hawaii. Short finned pilot whales are a rare sight and it’s a special moment when we spot them. A radio call comes through, “Dai Mar, something’s out there.” The Safari Explorer slows and turns. We all rush out on deck. “What is it? What is it?” Guests and crew peer into the water but we’re dumbfounded. Ahead of the ship, basking in the sun bob roughly 15 cetaceans. I have no idea what they are. I’ve never seen anything that looks like these animals. Highly curved dorsal fins slice through the waves and a blunt head glistens in the sunlight as they surface to breathe. We all stare at them in wonder. Then an individual lifts its head out of the water to...