Original publication and copyright date: 2011. Dr. Denise Herzing began her research with a pod of spotted dolphins in the 1980s. Now almost three decades later she has forged strong ties with many of these individuals has witnessed and recorded them feeding playing fighting mating giving birth and communicating. Dolphin Diaries is an account of Herzing s research and her surprising findings on wild dolphin behavior interaction and communication. Readers will be drawn into the highs and lows--the births and deaths the discovery of unique and personalized behaviors the threats dolphins face from environmental changes and the many funny and wonderful encounters Denise painstakingly documented over many years. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves these incredibly versatile and intelligent creatures and wants to find out more than the dolphin show at the zoo can offer. Herzing is a true pioneer in her field and deserves a place in the pantheon of naturalists and scientists next to Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall.