A spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris orientalis) demonstrates its jumping prowess for the camera while at play in the warm Pacific.
Eastern Spinner dolphins like this one typically live far out to sea in deeper waters. In Hawaii, though, they often spend time near shore taking advantage of the islands’ protective coasts and bays. Here you will find them resting in smaller pods throughout the day.
From time to time they vault themselves out of the ocean and into the air, spinning, twisting, and rolling in an acrobatic display. No one is sure why they do it; we like to think it is because they can and it is fun.
