the magic of speeding alongside a pod of dolphins

Catalina Island Marine Institute staff enjoy escaping the island on Blue Water Hunts -- although having a daunting name, BWHs are an ocean explorer's dream. Usually eyes are peeled on the horizon looking for the spout of a whale, a kelp raft, or the flopping fin of a Mola Mola, but today we were surrounded by something greater. A mega-pod of common dolphins were enticed by the speed of which our small whaler cut through the flat water. The jumped in front of the bow, catching momentum with the speed of our boat and bow-riding.