cavorting dolphins

Some of you may know that one item on my "bucket list" for this New Zealand trip was to swim with dolphins. As it turned out, the weather was not so cooperative and it was probably a bit late in the season in any case.  Swimming in wetsuits in waters of about 15deg.C. is best left to the young. :)

In any case, I have swum with, or at least very near to, dolphins, albeit by accident, in Far Northern Queensland (Australia) back in the 80's.  But that's another story..

Near the beginning of our trip Estelle and I were able to see rare Hector's dolphins up close during a nature cruise in Akaroa. (see an earlier post)  As expected, there were more dolphins of various species residing in the waters of the Bay of Islands.  Despite rather choppy waters, we were able to see two pods (or the same pod, twice?) during our 2 1/2 hours on the water. I will keep attempting to upload some wonderful video, but please also enjoy these photos.

update:  (May 29, 2012) Am still trying to upload video!  And it's still not working...will keep trying, however..