Bottlenose dolphins visit Bodega Bay

Andrea Granahan, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
The waters off Bodega Bay have suddenly become the hang-out location for approximately one tenth of the west coast population of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

About 60 of the animals have moved into the area, far out of their normal range. Usually they are found near Santa Barbara, off Point Conception between the mainland and the Channel Islands. But suddenly they have decided to check out Sonoma Coast waters, and it has scientists scratching their heads.
Researchers at the nonprofit Golden Gate Cetacean Research are hoping the public will help them by photographing any animals they spot. Send news and photos of sightings to ggcetacean.org.
The dolphins came north before during the 1982 El Niño, when ocean warming drove their food sources north to cooler waters. When the ocean cooled again, they moved south again.
via Bottlenose dolphins visit Bodega Bay.
Bodega Bay dolphin video 2012