Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is in the Oceanic Dolphins family (Delphinidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,915 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Common Dolphin: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Dolphin
The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is a species of common dolphin. It has a larger range than the long-beaked common dolphin (D. capensis), occurring throughout warm-temperate and tropical oceans, including the Indian Ocean although in smaller quantities than other places they are found. There are more short-beaked common dolphins than any other dolphin species in the warm-temperate portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is also found in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. The...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Dolphin by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,690 | May | Jan–Nov |
| Massachusetts | 145 | November | Oct–Jan |
| New York | 28 | February | Feb–Mar |
| Rhode Island | 16 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Virginia | 12 | July | Jul–Jul |
| New Jersey | 9 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Maryland | 5 | January | Jan–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Oceanic Dolphins)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Common Dolphin?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to March.
Where is Common Dolphin most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Massachusetts, New York.