Mammal field guide · Oceanic Dolphins

Photographing the Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin

How to photograph the Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops erebennus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (July and August).

150–900 cm1/2000–1/3200 s
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops erebennus)
Photo: © Kathy Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kathy Richardson via iNaturalist
150–900 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/1000 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
4,167
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/1000 s
Shutter (action)1/2000–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionBoat motion adds blur — keep 1/1000 s minimum and use stabilisation.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 525 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)11 mm17 mm8 mm6 mm
10 m (33 ft)23 mm34 mm15 mm11 mm
15 m (49 ft)34 mm51 mm23 mm17 mm
20 m (66 ft)45 mm68 mm30 mm23 mm
30 m (98 ft)68 mm103 mm45 mm34 mm
50 m (164 ft)113 mm171 mm75 mm56 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 8% Jan Feb: 5% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 8% Apr May: 9% May Jun: 9% Jun Jul: 13% Jul Aug: 12% Aug Sep: 8% Sep Oct: 7% Oct Nov: 5% Nov Dec: 8% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: July and August.

About the Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin#

Tamanend's bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops erebennus) is a species of bottlenose dolphin that inhabits coastal waters in the eastern United States. This species was previously considered a nearshore variant of the common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Use 1/2000 s+ and shoot bursts as they surface.
  • Boat motion adds blur — keep 1/1000 s minimum and use stabilisation.
  • Sightings peak in July and August, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Oceanic Dolphins#

Common Bottlenose Dolphin Common Bottlenose DolphinTursiops truncatus Orca OrcaOrcinus orca

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin?

At about 525 cm long, a tamanend's bottlenose dolphin fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 23 mm, or at 20 m with 45 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin?

1/1000 s when it's still; 1/2000–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin?

Observations in North America peak in July and August. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources