Our photo of the week is this great capture of our latest resident dolphin - a short beaked common dolphin that has been around for the last 4-6 weeks. It was taken by Maureen Crawley. Maureen lives in Killowen, Co. Down and has always enjoyed photography as a hobby. She first noticed this dolphin about a month ago when she was out walking her dogs on the shore near where she lives. Most days she sees it jumping in the distance. Maureen was lucky enough to get the chance to go out on the lough in her brothers boat one evening and captured this great shot. We posted this photo earlier in the week and Maureen would like to thank you all for the lovely comments and all the likes. She is delighted with the response to it. Finn is still around and seems to be staying mostly around Haulbowline Lighthouse again after spending the Summer close to Greenore - so he would be 4 /5 miles away.
Common dolphins have a distinctive creamy yellow hourglass pattern along the sides, with a dark grey back, tail and flippers and a cream coloured belly. Because of their distinctive colour pattern, they are sometimes referred to as hourglass dolphins. You can see this pattern in Maureen's great photo. They are very acrobatic and often leap clear of the water as seen in some of the recent photos posted. Their acrobatic leaps can often be seen from several kilometres away. Remember - if you meet a dolphin whilst at sea try to keep your distance and if they do approach you allow them to interact on their own terms and leave at will in order to protect them.