Pink Dolphins In The Trees

The Amazon River is home to a creature that looks like it was conjured out of a dream: pink river dolphins. They have long, toothy snouts, and adult males can turn bubblegum pink. But what really makes these creatures unique is their habitat. When the Amazon River floods each year, the surrounding forest fills with water. The dolphins are free to swim where no other dolphins do: among the tops of trees.

West Seattle wildlife photographer Kevin Schafer wanted to capture photos of these mysterious creatures. But what started as a photo expedition backed by National Geographic took Kevin to a place he never suspected. Kevin tells KUOW's Sarah Waller what he learned about pink dolphins and his own tolerance for working on the edge of failure, deep in the Amazon forest.