Dolphin At Our Camp
By fishtiger58
@fishtiger58 (29819)
Momence, Illinois
April 2, 2017 8:11am CST
I have been camping most of my life. I camped with my mom and dad and siblings and I was also a Girl Scout and camped with them. When I met my husband we started to camp and fish together. I went camping when I was pregnant with both my sons and we all camped together until my sons got older and had work and school and could no longer join my husband and I. I still camp to this day. And I love it.
While we were on the trip with my son we camped at the Francis Marion National Forest. There was a channel next to our campsite which was salt water and that channel led to the ocean. We couldn't actually see the ocean from our campsite as there was a barrier island between the channel and the ocean. On the pier and boat ramp in the campground they had informative signs telling us what sort of wildlife we could possibly see. One of the signs mentioned how the dolphins would come into that channel at certain times. I figured I would be very lucky to see one, but I was certainly hopeful.
The next morning we were discussing what we would do that day and having our morning coffee. I was standing looking out at the channel and all of a sudden I saw a dolphin. I gasped, said what I had just seen and all 3 of us ran to the edge of the channel. My camera was in the car and I knew I wouldn't have time to get it and get a shot of the dolphin, so my son got a few shots as the dolphin made it's way out of the channel to the ocean.
It was very exciting for this Midwestern girl from Chicago, about as far from the ocean as one can be. My son said these were not the greatest pictures but I'm thrilled to have them just the same, and for me they are fantastic. I hope you all like my son's shot. I have his permission to use his images.
29 people like this
30 responses
@moffittjc (128840)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Apr 17
That is really cool that you got to see Dolphins while you were on your camping trip! It is always fun to see them frolicking in the water! Being a native here in Florida, I'm pretty used to seeing Dolphins (and playing with them in the water), but I know how much of a thrill it can be for others to see them, especially if they are visiting from land-locked locations! Another animal that we see in abundance here in Florida, but is rare for others to encounter, are manatees. No matter how many times I've seen manatees or dolphins, I still get excited when I encounter them!
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
I could so see them everyday and still be excited. I envy your ability to see them on a regular basis, but as you know I couldn't take that Florida heat and humidity.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128840)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Why do you think I spend so much time in the water with the dolphins and manatees? I can't stand the heat either! LOL
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
@moffittjc Have you lived in Florida all your life. I am a life long Chicagoan.
2 people like this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
12 Apr 17
It is awesome to see a dolphin isn't it? I have yet to see a dolphin but I have been blessed with seen a manatee a few times.
3 people like this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
12 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 I live on the east coast and I was surprised to see the manatee. I was on a pier at Topsail Island and he was out there by himself just swimming around at the end of the pier. I had to research them more after the siting because I thought they kept to warmer waters. I would love to see a dolphin!!
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Apr 17
I would love to see a manatee but was extremely happy to see that dolphin in the wild. I fish quite often but only fresh water fishing and I don't live close to the ocean, so for us to see that was a thrill of a lifetime.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
14 Apr 17
@Shellyann36 Well lets hope I get to see the manatee and you get to see a dolphin.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
It was so exciting to see this I was pretty happy
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
2 Apr 17
Every year when we went to SC or GA and had rentals on the water we saw many dophins. You can hear them coming before you see them. Sitting quietly on the dock and one comes up next to you , the noise is so loud its scary.t
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
7 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 The only bad thing about them being near a dock when you are vacationing and trying to fish - they either eat the fish or scare them away!
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
Yes Abby we could hear him blowing out his blowhole. That I wasn't expecting but so very cool All of us were thrilled we got to see one in the wild like that.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill I bet they do, never had that experience, but then I have never fished salt water.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
4 Apr 17
I love the photo and what fun!! So glad you got to see one. As you know, I love to camp too but hubby doesn't so we don't camp while traveling. I would love too! Thankfully my sister loves it and we camp and travel when the opportunity happens.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
It's a good cheap way to go, I have only one really important activity that I can't live with out, and that's a nightly campfire. I feel cheated if I don't get that fire every night. Nothing better than sitting at the campfire with a hot cup of coffee.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
8 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 I look forward to July to do that for two weeks.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
10 Apr 17
@PainsOnSlate Now that my hubby and I are retired we go camping quite a few times during the spring and summer, just not for huge blocks of time.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Apr 17
A very peaceful serene looking scene.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
Thanks I was thrilled my son was able to capture this.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
@dfollin yes I certainly agree with that. I am a huge fan of nature.
2 people like this
@dfollin (27267)
• United States
2 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Good for you and I live in the east. I lived in Illinois when I was little, that is where my father's family is.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
Until my trip to the east coast I have never seen dolphins in the wild either. It was so exciting to see. I don't sleep in a tent anymore my hubby makes us a bed in our van. So we sleep in our van and do everything else outside.
2 people like this
@Nawsheen (28761)
• Mauritius
10 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 oh yes. I agree. Even i enjoyed watching the dolphins
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
I love to fish but never have I on the ocean. I prefer to fresh water fish. But to see the dolphin was pretty exciting for us.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
10 Apr 17
@Nawsheen It was my favorite part of our recent trip.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
8 Apr 17
That is awesome you were able to see the dolphins =) I see them sometimes in the ocean! But mainly at the amusement park.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
11 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Yes, the wild is nicer and much pleasant to see =)
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
10 Apr 17
I too have seen them in captivity but in the wild is so much better.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
5 Apr 17
I saw a dolphin last year in Florida at Cedar Key but I get much more excited when I see the Manatee, they are just so relaxed. lol
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
Another sea creature I have never seen is a manatee, but then I'm a Chicago girl, very far away from the ocean, which is fine with me.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Apr 17
I so had my doubts we would see one, imagine my surprise when we did. And you could hear him blowing air out his blowhole, so darn cool.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Apr 17
@jaboUK It was, and if I hadn't have been facing that way we could very well have missed it. But him blowing air out of his blowhole was surprisingly loud so that might have alerted us.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91155)
• United States
6 Apr 17
What a beautiful photo. The only time I saw a dolphin was in Sea World (Orlando Florida) and we were actually able to pet them. It was amazing but I'm sure it would be more amazing to see them in their natural habitat.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91155)
• United States
7 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 I would have been thrilled too seeing a dolphin come into the channel
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
When I read the sign at the dock saying dolphins come into the channel I thought yea I'm not going to get to see that. Imagine my shock when I did. It was a huge thrill for all of us.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
@Marilynda1225 I think it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen, and I have been to Alaska and Hawaii.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
3 Apr 17
that is a beautiful shot of the body of water so blue and clear (from what i see), and the sun (although there is a reflection maybe because of the camera used?).
next time my friend, i hope with your photographer's eye, you will capture a dolphin.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
8 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 and the image of the dolphin, though not up in the air to jump in to the waters, is still a beautiful one, as it is that image that my eyes went straight.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
10 Apr 17
@ridingbet I'm happy with his shot I couldn't have gotten my camera in time.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
Yes there was no way to avoid the sun in the shot, but i'm thrilled that my son was able to get a shot of it.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
2 Apr 17
Great pictures. That sounds really cool. I have never seen dolphins before. We have whales here and also seals. I have never been whale watching but I have see a number of seals.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
@Happy2BeMe I do hope you get the chance.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
I haven't seen whales either, but what a thrill that would be.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
7 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Yes i would. I would like to go some day.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
3 Apr 17
It is not so much the photo but the fact that you saw the dolphin is what will create a memory that will last you for all time.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
You are so right, I will never forget seeing my first wild dolphin, it was a thrill.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
2 Apr 17
It is a beautiful picture! I love dolphins but I have never seen one in person yet. I keep hoping! =)
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
I'm thinking with you living in Florida you will someday. But I have lived my whole life in Illinois so of course for me to see that was just thrilling. I have no desire to live near an ocean but it's an amazing thing to see.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
3 Apr 17
Wow that's nice you enjoy camping. I wish we have family camps too
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
I love to camp and have done it since I was a little girl.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
I am too, it was just the most awesome thing we saw on our trip.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
It really was I actually gasped when I first saw it and hubby, my son and I went running to the channel to watch it. We could hear it breathe as well, very cool.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 17
Thanks, I will never forget it. It was so very cool to see.
1 person likes this
