Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - The Unfolding of a Friendship
Tales from the Lagoon ~ Episode - The Unfolding of a Friendship
One of the first dolphin photos I snapped was a dolphin speeding by with a pelican on his tail. At the time, April 27, 2018, I didn’t know that I would get to know him on a personal level.
Actually I didn't get to know him personally until March 26, 2021, 3 yers later. On this day I was out in the deep end of the lagoon, dolphins were everywhere, when a dolphin underwater came speeding toward me from my left. When he got just a few feet away he popped up, hydroplaned by and I snapped his photo. He definitely had my attention!
I wasn’t sure if he was male or female then so I called him Danika after the female race car driver for his speed. When he showed me his belly and I knew he was male, I changed his name to Daniko.
We have spent many hours together since then. His male bestie is Jasper who also engages and likes to give photo opportunities. He enjoys time with Momma Sarabi and her latest calf. He also spent time with Sarabi and her first bay I met, Simba who is another story to share.
The drone photo is of Daniko closest to the camera, and Momma Sarabi and her calf. That day was mind blowing. I’ll attach a video from that day. Brent Eite with Focal Point Videography and 2 other camera people were present to catch the sweet interaction.
The three of them swam by really slow to say hello. Just before swimming by Daniko wanted to chase a mullet in the shallows so Sarabi went and got him as if saying,”Come on! They are filming! We have to go!" And they glided by pausing in front of the camera.
He loves his fish! He eats mullet the most, but loves redfish, flounder and an occasional jack. On the day of the flounder I was saying, “Daniko! Show me your fish!” He grabbed the fish and swam it by nice and slow, holding it up just a few feet away.
I had no idea when I snapped that first photo, I would get such a personal glimpse into his life. It is truly an honor.
Stay tuned for more tales!
This is the video where you can see Momma Sarabi leave her baby to get Daniko to come be a part of the filming. Not to worry, the baby patiently waits and Sarabi swims right back to her baby giving her a gentle reassuring nose bump.
Sunday sunrise is previous post
4.27.2018
Introducing himself 3.26.21
11.4.22
2.4.23
7.31.23
