Beaufort NC Dolphins - Fabulous Photographs Showing Dorsal Fins, Xenobalanus and Action

A fabulous collection of Keith Rittmaster's photographs of our local Beaufort, NC dolphins. Notice the  differences in dorsal fins (the fin on the back). That is how we ID them and keep records of individual dolphins sometimes going back over 20 years. Notice in the upper right photo something hanging off the  top of the dorsal fin - like a decorative fringe or tassel. That is actually a barnacle called Xenobalanus that only seems to attach itself to whales and dolphins. We believe we will learn more about dolphin travels and activities once we know more about  Xenobalanus.          More information about this hitchhiker barnacle