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The dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) is a small oceanic dolphin found in coastal waters of the Southern Hemisphere. Major populations occur around South America, southwestern Africa, New Zealand, and several oceanic islands. It has a somewhat stocky body with a short beak, a curved dorsal fin and flippers, and a multi-coloured pigmentation of black, grey, and white. The species prefers cool currents and inshore waters. It lives in a fission–fusion society where groups change size based on social and environmental conditions. The dolphin feeds on several fish and squid species, sometimes using daytime bait ball herding and nightime feeding in deep scattering layers. Mating is polygynandrous – several males will chase after a single female. Young are raised by females in nursery groups. The dusky dolphin is known for its acrobatics, displaying leaping behaviours. It is a popular tourist attraction and the object of whale watching tours. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Enriqueta Duarte

... that Enriqueta Duarte (pictured) swam the English Channel despite having no previous experience with open water swimming?
... that Bath fire station, a rare example of a design by a female architect from the pre-WWII era, is proposed for demolition?
... that wrestler Din Mohammad celebrated his gold medal at the Asian Games by riding an elephant?
... that the withdrawn medication diethylstilbestrol caused uterine hypoplasia?
... that Adam Hall is the first person from Bermuda to play professional baseball in the United States?
... that a negotiated truce in the Breton Civil War included a commitment to end the Hundred Years' War just six years after it started?
... that Pope Paul VI ordained more than 350 men as priests in a ceremony that lasted over three hours?
... that Shakira considered sending an apology note to Matt Damon's wife after mentioning him in the lyrics of her song "Men in This Town"?
... that Altuntash, a former slave-soldier, tried to redraw the political map of southern Syria—until his wife surrendered to his enemies?

In the news

Jim Lovell in 1969

American astronaut Jim Lovell (pictured), the commander of Apollo 13, dies at the age of 97.
A helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, kills eight people on board including two ministers, Edward Omane Boamah and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
In cycling, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins the Tour de France Femmes.
In association football, the Copa América Femenina concludes with Brazil defeating Colombia in the final.

On this day

August 13

Opha May Johnson

582 – Maurice was crowned Byzantine emperor to succeed Tiberius II Constantine.
1650 – General George Monck founded the predecessor to the Coldstream Guards, the oldest regular regiment of the British Army in continuous active service.
1918 – Opha May Johnson (pictured) became the first woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
1940 – World War II: The German Luftwaffe launched an air operation, codenamed Adlertag, to destroy the British Royal Air Force; its failure indefinitely postponed the German invasion of the United Kingdom.
2010 – After being boarded by Canadian authorities, MV Sun Sea docked in British Columbia and the 492 Sri Lankan Tamil refugee claimants on board were placed into detention.

Eugène Delacroix (d. 1863)
H. G. Wells (d. 1946)
Alan Shearer (b. 1970)
Sarah Huckabee Sanders (b. 1982)

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Today's featured picture

Naba Kailash Mandir is a Hindu temple in Kalna City, West Bengal, India. The temple structure consists of 108 smaller temples, each with a height of around 6 metres (20 feet) and width of around 3 metres (9.5 feet), arranged in two concentric circles. The site is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. The inner circle has a circumference of about 102 metres (336 feet), and the outer circle has a circumference of about 220 metres (710 feet). The temples are built on low raised base-altars. This aerial photograph of Naba Kailash Mandir was taken in 2020.

Photograph credit: Sudipta Maulik

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