I’ve spent a lot of time walking lately, and have several favourite places where I can walk and watch dolphins at the same time. One of them is a place called The Cut, where the Australiand estuary meets the Indian Ocean. When I was there a few days ago there were at least a dozen dolphins, busily fishing, and also catching the waves that were breaking just off the end of the cut. I drafted a poem in my head as I walked, at the same time I tried (not very succesfully) to capture what I was seeing with my phone camera. Unfortunately, the phone just can’t zoom enough to really do justice to the magic happening on the water – and the dolphins, when they jump, don’t let you know in advance so you can get your timing right 🙂 Still, I thought I might match the poem with some of my shots.
At The Cut
So many dolphins
You can see them right? About three in this shot.
catching fish
They splash and froth while they’re fishing. Cool to watch.
catching waves
Look closely – there are two dolphins INSIDE the wave, having a ride.
catching air.
(If you watch right to the end you’ll see the dolphin jump out of the wave)
And me,
on the beach,
catching my breath
as I try to catch it all
on camera.
I tried and tried to get a selfie with dolphins in the background. But every time I clicked they dived.
And here’s the poem without all the interruptions:
At The Cut
So many dolphins
catching fish
catching waves
catching air.
And me,
on the beach,
catching my breath
as I try to catch it all
on camera.
(Sally Murphy, 2016)
Happy Poetry Friday. The roundup this week is hosted by Carol at Carol’s Corner.
What a lot of catches! Really like your poem’s word play and the way you described how natures plays hide-and-seek with you. Thanks for the trip to the beach!
Thanks Violet. Nature is constantly surprising.
Glad you were able to catch it all, Sally! Some great shots, and the poem pairs perfectly!
Thanks Matt 🙂
Dolphins are such fascinating and intelligent creatures. Lucky you to be able to see them so readily. Thanks for the catchy poem. 🙂
Looks like an amazing place for inspiration and meditation. I like how you weave “catching” all the way through. The poem captures this moment well.
Thanks for sharing your photos and the poem. The picture where you can see the dolphins inside the wave — so cool! No wonder you were breathless.
I just returned from a few weeks at the beach, and yes, we saw dolphins and manatees too. What a wonder of a place you can walk, too. I love how you wrote just enough to capture this latest walk, and seeing all, too, Sally.
I love your playful game of catch, Sally. 🙂
What a beautiful day, and how perfectly your words capture the feeling of the video. I’ve always wanted to see dolphins in person, not in an aquarium. They seem like they have their priorities sorted. 🙂
Thanks Brenda – I agree. I’m pretty sure the dolphins are cleverer than us humans 🙂
Oh my gosh! I can’t even imagine living where you could take a walk and see dolphins! So beautiful! I never knew they surfed!
I feel so very lucky to live where I do Carol. And yes, dolphins do surf and play. It’s amazing to watch.