Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: How Did This Photographer Get Here?
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode: How Did This Photographer Get Here?
Fun Facts:
I never, ever feed the dolphins.
I never, ever touch the dolphins.
When you see my hand out, that is one of the ways I communicate with them—it is not to touch them.
They have never touched me, though they have come within inches.
If you’re just tuning in, this story has been unfolding for over eight years.
It all began with a dream in April 2017. My late husband came to me and said, “I want you to have a Canon professional camera.” Two weeks later, I bought one. I was hooked—he knew it would breathe life back into me.
Then, in February 2018, I had another dream. This time, I was in the water at sunset, photographing orcas. When I woke up, I had an undeniable urge to get in the Indian River at sunset and see what would unfold. That evening, three dolphins appeared, and I captured their tails against the glowing orange water—just like in my dream.
Curious, I returned the next morning with no expectations. I stayed on the periphery, watching as the dolphins swam in. I snapped photos of them tossing fish into the air. Excited, I went back again. And again. And again—almost daily since 2018.
Over time, certain dolphins began to approach and just simply hang out. Then, in July 2018, something remarkable happened. A male dolphin, one I had seen often since February, was speeding toward me, chasing mullet. I thought to myself, " I should back up." But then I heard, "Don’t move, I’ll turn." So I stood still. He rushed in, grabbed the fish and turned on a dime just a few feet away and I snapped the moment.
One high-tide day, I waded in as far as I could without getting my camera wet. The pod was in the middle of the river, leaping and playing with seaweed on their noses, full of joy. Then, to my surprise, they swam toward me, circling and even passing behind me in the shallows. They stayed for hours catching fish, snuggling and relaxing. That was the moment I knew—I had been accepted into this pod.
At the time, I wasn’t sure if this connection would extend to other pods, but to my delight, it has. Needless to say, I have countless stories and thousands of photos.
One last thing:
I am also a CranioSacral Therapist, a practice that involves blending with the client’s energy and allowing their body to guide the treatment. I use the same approach in the water—I tune in, blend in, and position myself in a way that respects their space. Then, I wait. If they choose to engage or pose for a photo, it is always on their terms.
I never know what will happen, and that’s the beauty of it. The dolphins continue to show me things I could never have imagined.
Here is a drone video form a drone perspective showing the dolphin interacting.
https://youtu.be/ZLbLX6Xtv0Q...
This is a another drone video showing the playful interaction.
https://youtu.be/2FLS5JH1CrQ...
Stay tuned for more tales!
Videos are from Focal Point Videography.
Sunrise for Wednesday is previous post