A new technique for dolphin watching...

And, it really, really works!

We were only out for about an hour and a half - had an amazing dolphin experience.  Not saying that lightly, as we've had some pretty special dolphin experiences here in our home waters.

As we got ready to head out, Rufus was making a lot of noise... it may have been, "Don't leave!" but I took it as: "Take me along!"  I had the engine running when we brought him down to the boat in his carrier.  Heading out our canal...

He likes to look around.  He also re-discovered the storage cubby under the helm...

Checking out the view from the front gate...

Sitting between us...

Joan moved his carrier and left the door open, in case he wanted to go in there - nope, on it, instead...

Yes, this was all before we got out of our canals.  Out into the ICW...

We haven't seen this in quite a while...

A shrimper intentionally run aground on the west side of our island.  They do this to get the boat ready to head into the Gulf, sometimes sort out any mechanical issues before getting too far away from the dock.  We used to see it regularly, but they don't have to raft up 3 deep at their docks since the fleet has dwindled.  They can take their time.

Not far behind the shrimper, we had our first dolphin sighting...

It wasn't long before we had them swimming all around the boat...

Oops - too close to get them in the frame...

Rufus could sense something was up, and came out from his spot under the helm...

The dolphins seemed to be curious about this noisy cat...

Rufus wasn't sure about them, but they seemed to enjoy him.  Did I mention: all around the boat?

Nice face...

A Mother and baby...

Too close again...

This is my idea of "face time"...

This boy has some scars on his back...

Tails...

Underwater next to the boat...

No, this is not a manatee...

A smiling face...

All this less than two miles from our dock.  Rufus wasn't freaked out... but, he was vocal much of the time.

Heading back in our canal...

We did put him in the carrier for the last 30 seconds before getting to our dock.  Again, no "Let me outta here!" when we opened the carrier - Joan walked him across the dock and up the stairs.  I'm thinking we'll be able to leave the carrier behind next time.  Maybe.  He did just fine again today - Joan and I are both convinced that the dolphins were more curious than usual.

Hey, dolphins!  This is Rufus!

:-)