'Patches' The Dolphin Visits Oceanside: Photo Of The Day

OCEANSIDE, CA — Patch reader Capt. Bill DeLuna of Pacific Marine Charters captured this photo sailing off the coast of Oceanside. Capt. Bill calls the picture "Patches."

"My first encounter with Patches, the very rare and famous bottlenose dolphin. Patches has leucism - a condition that causes partial loss of pigmentation. As far as we know, she is one of a kind along the west coast." Bill said. "She was first spotted in 2006 and shows up periodically every few months. She has been spotted by whale watching captains from San Diego up to Santa Barbara. She never fails to excite all the captains and whale watching guests who have had the privilege and luck to see her."

Thanks for sharing!

If you have an awesome picture of nature, breathtaking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny or something unusual you happen to catch with your camera, we'd love to feature it on Patch.
We're looking for high-resolution images that reflect the beauty that is Oceanside, and that show off your unique talents.

Send your photos to lisa.frost@patch.com. Be sure to include photo credit information, when and where the shot was taken, and any other details about what was going on.

Also see:

• Colorful Carlsbad Sunrise: Photo Of The Day
• 'Connection' In Oceanside: Photo Of The Day
• Sunset At South Carlsbad State Beach: Photo Of The Day
• Vivid Vista Sunset: Photo Of The Day
• Surfer At Pacific Beach: Photo Of The Day