Wild Dolphins of Paracas and Pucusana.

Off the coast of Peru are hundreds of wild dolphins. You don't get to swim with them, but you can get to find them and photograph them.

If you have landed at this page then welcome. Indulge me please - I include this as part of my own happiness journey - an adventure that led me to create this site. Enjoy the photos while you are here.

Happiness is setting yourself a challenge...and achieving it!

Fear and anxiety raced through my veins. Isn't that just a bridge too far, I thought. There's change and there's....? That means water and boats and .....my head spun. No thanks!

I think it only took one night to change my mind. I didn't even dare to think what was involved. But what the heck. If I wanted different, then this was it. Not as though I would be climbing Everest or deep sea diving.

Looking back (as always happens) it really is no big deal and I could not be happier that I faced my fears and did it anyway.

Welcome to Pucusana, a beautiful and colourful Peruvian fishing village south of Lima. The bright coloured boats, the shimmering water, the sights and sounds of Pucusana welcomed us on arrival. No one spoke English and I could have used much more Spanish than I spoke.

Lunchtime at sea on the first day found me struggling with sea-sickness. What if this happens every day I asked myself? I needn't have worried. It was all a huge adventure....that thought over-rode all other thoughts I had.

Wild dolphins - this time at the Paracas National Marine Reserve.

Daily we patrolled the coast - to the south for 20 kms. one day. Then to the north the following day. We soon got used to shouting 'atras, detras, isquierda and la derecha.' Got pretty good at spotting them a mile off too. (not literally)

The idea is to photograph the wild dolphins fins to enable identification by comparing the nicks, marks and scars on them. No mean feat when you're balancing with one hand, steadying the camera with the other, and the boat makes a quick turn. Why conservation? Dolphins are still illegally hunted and find their way into the human food chain.

I must have taken hundreds of shots of the sea. They were just too quick for me.

Visit the Mundo Azul website and find out how they are protecting wild dolphins in Peru, to see more photos and video, or to find out more about volunteering.

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