Tarifa, Spain (2009)
These pictures were taken in Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar during whale watching with the Swiss foundation FIRMM . Many thanks to Katharina Heyer and all the participants who made this possible. I can warmly recommend this unique experience!
Fig. 1: A kitesurfer rides the waves on the Atlantic beach of Tarifa. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/640 s; f=200 mm; f/13.0; ISO 200; 19 April 2009 11:14:47
Fig. 2: A kitesurfer flies through the air. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm 1:2.8, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=200 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 19 April 2009 11:14:54
Fig. 3: A kitesurfer flies through the air. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm 1:2.8, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=200 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 19 April 2009 11:14:55
Fig. 4: A kitesurfer flies over the waves. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 200; 19 April 2009 11:40:34
Fig. 5: The Almadraba off the Atlantic coast of Tarifa with which the Spaniards, on behalf of the Japanese, completed the entire eradicate tuna. They catch the pregnant tuna before they can swim to spawn in the Mediterranean Sea. The flesh of pregnant tuna is said to be more tender. In a few years there will be no more tuna. How stupid mankind is! — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm 1:2.8, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 09:01:02
Fig. 6: The 10km long Atlantic beach of Tarifa. Get a free scrub when the wind blows — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/640 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 09:23:52
Fig. 7: A bottlenose dolphin shows his fluke just before he slaps it on the water and splashes everyone wet. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 12:50:53
Fig. 8: A bottlenose dolphin pushes through a wave. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 12:54:50
Fig. 9: A young pilot whale — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=155 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:49:34
Fig. 10: A mola mola (sunfish). We met at least one of them on every trip. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:52:08
Fig. 11: Bottlenose dolphins leaping in the colorless Strait of Gibraltar as the sun hides behind a cloud. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 10:59:04
Fig. 12: Two bottlenose dolphins against the light. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 10:59:26
Fig. 13: A pilot whale approaches the boat — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=165 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:03:21
Fig. 14: A dolphin approaches the boat — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:03:28
Fig. 15: Three pilot whales approach the boat, snorting. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:06:03
Fig. 16: Dolphins exhale just before they emerge from the water surface. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:15:31
Fig. 17: A dolphin looks out of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 14:15:56
Fig. 18: A poor injured Pilot Whale that probably had half of its dorsal fin ripped off by a fishing hook or a ship's propeller. Compared to the other pilot whales, this one moved more slowly through the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:43:39
Fig. 19: — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=112 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 16:17:06
Fig. 20: — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=155 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 16:17:09
Fig. 21: Two bottlenose dolphins jumping in front of the cargo ship "Good Hope Max" — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:43:56
Fig. 22: Two bottlenose dolphins jump and do somersaults in front of the cargo ship "Good Hope Max". — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:44:31
Fig. 23: Two bottlenose dolphins jump and do somersaults in front of the cargo ship "Good Hope Max". — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:44:31
Fig. 24: One of the rare days without wind in the Strait of Gibraltar. The sea was smooth as glass and you could watch the animals in the clear water like in a huge aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:56:04
Fig. 25: A pregnant bottlenose dolphin lady who proudly showed us her big belly over and over again. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:56:40
Fig. 26: The pregnant female bottlenose dolphin swims on her back and smacks her fluke on the water surface. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=112 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 11:58:52
Fig. 27: Rarely is the water in the Strait of Gibraltar so smooth that you can watch the animals like in an aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:00:18
Fig. 28: A bottlenose dolphin swims through the calm surface of the water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=130 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:02:22
Fig. 29: — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:02:51
Fig. 30: Two bottlenose dolphins swim in front of the boat and smack the surface of the water with their flukes. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:03:23
Fig. 31: A bottlenose dolphin swims through the clear water almost within reach in front of the bow of the ship "Firmm Sprit" — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:04:27
Fig. 32: Two bottlenose dolphins swim side by side. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:05:19
Fig. 33: Two bottlenose dolphins swim back to back in the crystal clear calm water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=145 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:05:21
Fig. 34: A young bottlenose dolphin jumps a little out of the water — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:06:19
Fig. 35: A bottlenose dolphin swims on its back and smacks the surface of the water with its fluke. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:06:36
Fig. 36: A bottlenose dolphin shows its belly just below the surface of the water. The calm water makes it look almost like an underwater shot. Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to photograph dolphins while diving. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:07:02
Fig. 37: A tumulus pierces the mirror-smooth surface of the water. It is rarely so windless in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:09:44
Fig. 38: The water was so calm that day that it was like watching the animals in an aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:10:14
Fig. 39: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the mirror-smooth surface of the water. It is rarely so windless in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 12:10:34
Fig. 40: Two bottlenose dolphins under water. The calm surface makes it almost look like an aquarium. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.2; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:37:28
Fig. 41: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the mirror-smooth surface of the water. It is rarely so windless in the Strait of Gibraltar. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:39:47
Fig. 42: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the surface of the water to breathe. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=135 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:40:10
Fig. 43: Another bottlenose dolphin pierces the surface of the water to breathe. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 14:40:31
Fig. 44: A bottlenose dolphin gasps for air just below the surface of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 15:10:58
Fig. 45: El Santo, patron saint of fishermen and guardian of the port of Tarifa. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=135 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 15:57:20
Fig. 46: Wind turbines near Tarifa. A wind is constantly blowing here. Either from the east (Levante: or from the west (Poniente:. Ideal for wind energy. It's just stupid that some wind turbines don't turn and stand still when the wind blows from the wrong side. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 28-70mm 1:2.8, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/31 s; f=70 mm; f/18.0; ISO 200; 23 April 2009 08:59:29
Fig. 47: Two striped dolphins cut through the water surface. These certainly swim twice as fast as bottlenose dolphins and are therefore difficult to photograph. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/4.5; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:03:33
Fig. 48: Nice how this striped dolphin literally cuts through the water surface with its snout. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=120 mm; f/2.8; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:06:13
Fig. 49: Striped Dolphin taking a breath. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=80 mm; f/3.2; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:16:47
Fig. 50: How lucky! A striped dolphin jumps out of the water and the picture is even more sharp! This species is more difficult to photograph as they are smaller than the bottlenose dolphin and are probably twice as fast and lively. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=145 mm; f/4.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:19:19
Fig. 51: A leaping striped dolphin. This is the same jump as the previous picture and I held the shutter button down. But the Nikon D200 only manages 5 frames per second. The perfect photo at the apex of the jump would have been somewhere in between. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=145 mm; f/4.5; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:19:19
Fig. 52: Snorting pilot whale, where you can clearly see the eye and the mouth. They don't usually get that far out of the water. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:32:29
Fig. 53: Two pilot whales approach the boat. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=165 mm; f/4.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:39:15
Fig. 54: A mother pilot whale proudly showed us her recently born baby. It was still wrinkled from the labor pains and was still gasping for air a little awkwardly. I guess it was only a few hours old. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/4.5; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 17:40:32
Fig. 55: Two bottlenose dolphins leap out of the water in the far distance. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 18:47:03
Fig. 56: A bottlenose dolphin jumps out of the water. Well caught, but unfortunately too far away. The picture is greatly enlarged. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 18:52:57
Fig. 57: A bottlenose dolphin jumps out of the water. Well caught, but unfortunately too far away. The picture is greatly enlarged. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=200 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 18:52:58
Fig. 58: Ruins on the Mediterranean coast of Tarifa. Some are occupied by beggars. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=17 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 18 April 2009 19:07:05
Fig. 59: Sailing ships anchor in the Mediterranean bay off Tarifa. Behind it is Mount Moses (Jebel Musa: in Morocco. Along with the Rock of Gibraltar, it was known in ancient times as "Herakles' Halls". — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=50 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 19 April 2009 17:03:04
Fig. 60: Fences on the Atlantic beach hold the sand that is otherwise blown away by the wind. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=45 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 19 April 2009 17:04:27
Fig. 61: The Mediterranean bay with ship and snorkelers. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=34 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 19 April 2009 17:08:32
Fig. 62: Kitesurfer on the Atlantic beach — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=70 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 19 April 2009 17:10:29
Fig. 63: El Santo, the patron saint of fishermen and guardian of the port of Tarifa and a lonely fisherman looking for a good spot with his rod. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=70 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 19 April 2009 17:18:59
Fig. 64: Tarifa Jet, the fast FRS ferry that connects Tarifa and Tangier in just 35 minutes . — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=70 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 19 April 2009 17:24:04
Fig. 65: A bottlenose dolphin with nice saltwater bladders on its back. One of my friend Sandra's first dolphin photos — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:10:47
Fig. 66: Two pilot whales. The upper one is still a juvenile, recognizable by its grayish color. Sandra's photo. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 20 April 2009 14:18:41
Fig. 67: Dolphin with freighter. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 12:16:05
Fig. 68: photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:07:30
Fig. 69: Young Pilot Whale. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:08:55
Fig. 70: Pilot whales. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:09:25
Fig. 71: Pilot whale with porpoise. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:10:19
Fig. 72: Two Porpoises. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:21:21
Fig. 73: Two Porpoises with rainbow in the spray. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/3.2; ISO 200; 21 April 2009 15:21:21
Fig. 74: A dreamy image of a bottlenose dolphin gasping for air in the clear calm water and donning a silvery crown of bubbles. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 13:01:55
Fig. 75: Two bottlenose dolphins swim back to back close to the surface of the water. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 13:11:07
Fig. 76: Two bottlenose dolphins swim back to back close to the water surface. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 13:11:07
Fig. 77: A dreamlike image of a Bottlenose Dolphin gasping for air in the clear calm water and donning a silvery crown of air bubbles. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 15:44:17
Fig. 78: Two bottlenose dolphins in calm water. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=34 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 22 April 2009 16:17:13
Fig. 79: The Atlantic beach north of Tarifa. In the background behind Tarifa, Mount Moses (Jebel Musa: rises and shows how close Africa is. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=62 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 22 April 2009 20:09:50
Fig. 80: The beach on the Atlantic a little further north of Tarifa. Africa can still be seen on the horizon. — Nikon D200, Tarifa, Spain, April 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=48 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 22 April 2009 20:11:09
Fig. 81: My friend Sandra was luckier and caught the pilot whale baby from the front. — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=70 mm; f/5.0; ISO 250; 24 April 2009 18:45:42
Fig. 82: A crack in the evening light, unfortunately not from the most advantageous perspective. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/10.0; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 20:05:00
Fig. 83: Splash! A bottlenose dolphin drops on its side onto the water surface. Photo © Sandra — Strait of Gibraltar Nikon D200; Δt=1/1000 s; f=28 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 24 April 2009 20:05:05