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January 18, 2013 10 Comments

The Play Project: Dolphin Joy

The Play Project sneakerNot long ago, I wrote of the paucity of play in my life and decided to launch The Play Project. I hoped to begin integrating more fun, laughter, and simple pleasures into everyday life. This is the first official follow-up to my introductory post.

We followed my mom along the boardwalk edging the waterway in Port Royal, South Carolina. She was eager to show us this path, one of her favorite places to walk and linger. I’d attached my long lens and lifted it to snap a few pictures when we spotted fins sliding out of the water.

“Dolphins!” my son exclaimed, racing up the lookout tower steps, a pair of binoculars dangling from his neck. He lifted them to his eyes and shrieked again, pointing. “Dolphins! There!”

My daughter asked to borrow my camera, which I handed over. She followed her brother up the tower stairs and started snapping each time hints of shadowy grey surfaced.

dolphin fins 2

Mom and I watched from down low, eyes following every movement.

mom me watching dolphin

The dolphins grew bolder and more animated around the boats.

dolphin fins kayak

dolphin fins boat

dolphin pair

And then, as a bigger boat passed through, they began to burst out of the water, arcing in the air, their sleek grey bodies shimmering in the sun.

dolphin leap 2

dolphin leap 1

dolphin leap 4

dolphins leap 3

Eyes wide with awe, we gasped and laughed and clapped our hands in delight at their powerful leaps.

After the boat motored past, the dolphins eventually retreated to the water’s depths and shifted in the other direction, rising only briefly to slurp air through blow holes.

The kids descended the tower stairs breathless and animated, my photographer-daughter gesturing us over to show us her best shots. We slowly made our way along the boardwalk, and as we stepped from the wooden slats onto the parking lot sand, I realized I had been grinning the entire way, heart still pounding strong, energized by the dolphins’ play.

* * * * *

Photos by S. Kroeker.

Filed Under: family Tagged With: dolphins, play

Comments

  1. Monica Sharman says

    January 19, 2013 at 12:05 am

    My heart is pounding after reading this, Ann. I grew up in L.A. and went to Sea World in San Diego about every other year. What you had here is so much more thrilling.

    When we visited my sister in Maui, we always went in late February (peak season for watching humpback whales breaching).

    And I have to say, that photo of you and your mom is the best of all.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      January 19, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      How cool to have access to Sea World! Our local zoo has a dolphin exhibit and they do a simple, educational show that includes some leaps and tail flapping and spins (if the dolphins are in the mood to cooperate). To see them do some of those behaviors in the wild was, as you say, thrilling.

      Now, to see a humpback whale? Wow.

      And thank you for noting the photo of my mom and me. Isn’t it funny how we took the exact same pose?

      Reply
  2. Megan Willome says

    January 19, 2013 at 11:47 am

    Growing up, we’d often go to Port Aransas, which isn’t much of a beach, but has lots of dolphins. It’s especially fun to watch them race the ferries when you’re on the ferry!

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      January 19, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Oh, fun! We try to get to the Gulf or the Atlantic at least once a year, but we don’t always get to see dolphins. It was a treat. For you to be seeing them right by your boat, wow, that has to be a delight!

      Reply
  3. Trish Southard says

    January 19, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    Ann Kroeker I can’t believe what terrific photos your daughter snapped of the dolphins! Special moments like these are often viewed through our lens. I’m so thrilled to be a small part of this day of play.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      January 19, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Isn’t it something? Hooray for bright light and a long lens (and a steady hold in the hands of my daughter’s skillful grip!).

      Thanks for sharing my fun!

      Reply
  4. David Fraley says

    January 19, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    ‘Amazing creatures! ‘Beautiful photos! ‘Great and memorable story! Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Hazel Moon says

    January 19, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Oh such fun and to witness the joy of the dolphins and of your children too – – – and the smile on yours and your mom’s faces!

    Reply
  6. laura says

    January 20, 2013 at 11:41 am

    I love how you play 🙂

    The dolphins are always my favorite companions when we visit the Outer Banks in NC. One year, Jeff surprised me with a “dolphin tour”. We took a little schooner out into the sound. We were treated with quite a few curious friends that day. It was pretty special. Love these shots and that one of you and your mom is sweet.

    Reply
  7. Darcy Wiley says

    January 23, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    I saw this the other day after mentioning to you my own endeavors to experience more play. Such a fun coincidence. 🙂 This montage is breathtaking. The photos your daughter took capture the dolphins’ play perfectly…an extra dose of joy for her, I’m sure. Oh, and I love the phrase about them slurping air.

    Reply

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