Black Cormorant

Leaping Dolphin

This dolphin jumped as it was speeding to catch up with the Spectre . Dolphins certainly enjoy surfing in the pressure wave just off the bow.  They also like to glance up at the humans clustered there.
They are definitely playing; they may also be showing off,competing,and satisfying some curiosity about loud noises and the seagoing monkeys that accompany them.

Dolphins in Mist

Although they love physical activity and adventure, dolphins also enjoy taking time to relax.  When the weather is foggy they seem more subdued.  This pod was enjoying flat water not far from Scorpion on Santa Cruz.

Surfing Dolphin

Dolphins love to play, although they don't often do so this close to land. I think this one was showing off to podmates; they were nearby. The pod of about 7 dolphins was mostly surfing, with occasional tailstands like this one.

Wakeriding Dolphins

Dolphins love to surf on boat wakes.  It looks like a lot of fun to me!  Excellent surfing probably impresses the other dolphins too; and since dolphins apparently spend most of their time thinking about sex, that's pretty important (to them, at least).

Whale Dive

Do whales enjoy the sensation of water running across their flukes, when they lift them out of the water?

Gray Whale Tail

Gray whales often show their flukes when they dive.  Often they dive after taking 3 breaths at the surface.  I'm not sure whether they lift the tail out of the water so that the extra weight drives them down faster (as I do with my legs when I freedive).  Maybe they are positioning the tail for the underwater swim, or maybe their lower backs just don't bend very easily.