Persuaded Owen and Tania that we should take the (huge) detour from the coastal highway out to Shark Bay, and ultimately Monkey Mia, famous for its dolphins.
After a night in Denham, it was a short hop to Monkey Mia, which is no more than a resort which has grown up around the daily dolphin interaction. I'd wanted to see this place since my visit to WA in 2000.
The idea is that the dolphins swim inshore early in the morning, looking for an easy feed. Visitors are allowed to stand in the water whilst the rangers offer them fish. No touching allowed. If you're lucky, the dolphin swims near you! 
It was a bit different in reality. We arrived late, and the crowds had gone, but the dolphins were still around. The ranger was talking to a small group about the female dolphin which was lying on its side just next to her - its youngster was swimming playfully nearby. Everyone was totally enthralled by how tame these wild dolphins appeared to be. Its amazing to see them so close, and so still, considering they spend most of their time pitting their wits against tiger sharks in the Indian Ocean.
The crowd grew before the fish bucket turned up and the ranger gave the first fish to the patiently waiting mother.They then pick individual folks from the crowd to come forward to feed the dolphin....it was MY lucky day....I got picked!
It was all too easy - the dolphin just lay there watching me .... I held the fish a few inches above its mouth, and it gratefully snatched it from me - an easy snack, and an ambition fulfilled!
Every move is logged by the rangers so that no one dolphin gets more than a couple of fish a day. They have to avoid the dolphins becoming dependent on this interaction, and the whole thing does seem to be quite scientific, although its easy to be cynical about the tourist aspect of it. I thought it was brilliant though - a lovely setting, very relaxed and not half as much of a circus as I'd expected. Being there out of peak season probably helps, although given the massive driving distances, its a busy little place - its incredible just what a strong draw the dolphins are.
A definite highlight!
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