Photo Courtesy of Antonio Ramirez

Antonio Ramirez, who was aboard a Hornblower Cruise on Thursday, snapped this photo of the dolphins swimming in a "super mega-pod."

Thousands of dolphins spanning across seven miles of ocean were sighted off the coast of San Diego on Thursday, a boat captain told NBC 7 San Diego.

Capt. Joe Dutra of Hornblower Cruises said he saw a “super mega-pod” of common dolphins Thursday around noon while he was on his daily tour. He said the pod was more than seven miles long and five miles wide.

Dutra said the boat tour followed the pod for more than an hour and said he’s never seen anything like it.

“When you see something that is honestly truly beyond belief,” the captain said.

Guests aboard the boat started screaming and pointing when they first saw the school of adult and juvenile common dolphins. Dutra estimated there were about 100,000 dolphins swimming in the area.

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“They were coming from all directions, you could see them from as far as the eye can see,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff out here… but this is the biggest I’ve ever seen, ever.”

Whale and dolphin watching tours have done particularly well this year, with dozens of animal sightings reported.

Marine mammal expert Sarah Wilkin said the reason the large pod might be there is because there’s plenty of food in the area, including sardines, herring and squid.

“They’re attracted to kind of the same thing, they might wind up in the same place,” she said.

Though dolphins typically travel in groups of 200 or less, Wilkin said “super-pods” are not unheard of.

“They’re definitely social animals, they stick together in small groups,” she said. “But sometimes, the schools come together.”

Dutra, who’s been boating for decades, said he felt lucky to enjoy such a rare phenomenon.

“You had to be there to experience it,” he said.  “It was truly spectacular.”

SAN DIEGO - A local photographer got more than he bargained for when he bought an antique camera unknowingly loaded with vintage photographs of the World War I era.

Anton Orlov – an analog photographer who lives in the University City area in San Diego – recently purchased a 1901 Bellini Jumelle photo camera at an antique shop near Los Angeles.

courtesy NBC San Diego

Orlov says he spent $100 on the vintage gem, but what he found inside was practically priceless.

The photographer brought the camera home and spent hours cleaning it. Then, he decided to look inside.

There, Orlov discovered a series of eight photographs, already developed, taken on the camera more than 100 years ago.

The images, which show WWI airplanes, ruins, soldiers on horses and even a bomb, offer an authentic glimpse into history.

“I was pretty flabbergasted,” said Orlov. “I’ve never seen images like that come out of the camera already developed.”

courtesy NBC San Diego

Orlov says his favorite shot in the series is one that captures a group of soldiers proudly holding up what looks like a bomb.

In his eyes, film photography of this kind is truly unique and special because it stands the test of time.

“Other than fire, very few things can destroy it,” he explained. “A hundred years from now, that SD [digital camera] card is going to be pretty useless.”

courtesy NBC San Diego

The photographer feels very lucky to have purchased the vintage camera.

“When I saw it, something pulled me towards it,” he added.

Eventually, Orlov would like to know if the old snapshots hold any value. But, for now, he’s enjoying his role as the keeper of the pictures – and the fact that they’re finally seeing the light of day.

courtesy NBC San Diego

“I'm just happy to put them out there after them being hidden in a camera for 100 years. I'm just happy to see people enjoying them,” he said.

Orlov is fundraising for a film photography education journey. He wants to feature these WWI photos, along with other collections, all over the country. To learn more about his project, visit these websites: photopalacebus.org and indiegogo.com.