Bottlenose Dolphins Put On Morning Show: Photos Of The Day

IMPERIAL BEACH CA — Bottlenose dolphins are a frequent sight along the San Diego County coastline.

Friday morning, a pod was spotted north of the Imperial Beach pier.

What To Know About Bottlenose Dolphins In California

Bottlenose dolphins can live at least 40 years, with some females outliving males at 60 years or more.

Female bottlenose dolphins are pregnant for about 12 months. Once calves are born, they nurse for around 20 months and generally stay with their mothers for 3-6 years. Females as old as 45 have given birth.

California coastal bottlenose dolphins are usually found less than a mile from the shore. In southern California, the animals are found within one-third of a mile from the shoreline 99 percent of the time.

Since the 1982-1983 El Niño, which increased water temperatures off California, they have been consistently sighted in central California as far north as San Francisco. Photo-identification studies have documented north-south movements of coastal bottlenose dolphins, and monthly counts based on surveys between the U.S./Mexican border and Point Conception are variable, indicating the animals are moving into and out of that area.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, over 80 percent of the dolphins identified in Santa Barbara, Monterey and Ensenada were also identified off San Diego, indicating they don't stay in one area for too long.

The coastline of Baja, Mexico, between Ensenada and San Quintin, may represent a southern boundary for the California coastal population.

It's Your Shot: Pictures You Take and We Share

Have you got the next incredible photo? If you have an awesome photo of nature, breathtaking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny or something unusual you happen to see, we'd love to feature it on Patch. We're looking for high-resolution images that reflect the beauty of the San Diego area and show off your unique talents.

So, bring 'em on. No selfies. Not here.

Send your photos to autumn.johnson@patch.com. Please include the following information: 1) photographer's first and last name; 2 ) time and day of photo/s; 3) location of photo/s; 4) what you love/don't love about the photo/s. We hope to see your work soon!