2018 06-16 SB Channel It was an epic day full of fin whale and blue whale encounters at the hot spot near beautiful Santa Cruz Island. Skies cleared and the sun came shining down almost immediately, and seas were calm and glassy, especially in the morning. We closely watched 8+ fin whales, 4+ blue whales, 1500 long-beaked common dolphins, 35 …
Fin whales and blue whales and dolphins STILL !
2018 06-15 SB Channel Skies were covered by a thin stratus layer, and a light breeze wafted across the Santa Barbara Channel, but the now-famous giant whale hot spot was located again today. Closely watched animal totals included: 4+ blue whales, 1+ fin whale, 400 long-beaked common dolphins, and 25+ California sea lions. Once again the (+) sign next to …
More than a dozen surface lunge-feeding blue whales
2018 06-14 SB Channel The big news today was the presence of more than a dozen giant whales found surface lunge feeding at the same hot spot where these whales (blue whales and fin whales) have been watched consistently for the past month. We closely watch 14+ blue whales, 1+ fin whale, and 400 long-beaked common dolphins today. A high …
Large numbers of blue whales and fin whales again
2018 06-13 SB Channel Skies were hazy and the ocean was calm and things were great for locating wildlife. The great population numbers of the largest of all whales, the blues and fins, continued again today in the southeastern region of the Santa Barbara Channel. “So little time, so many whales,” has been the story for the past few weeks. …
A great season for seeing giant whales
2018 06-12 SB Channel With a glassy ocean surface and hazy skies, Captain Dave and his crew got into the giant whales hot spot again today. Closely watched species included 3 blue whales, 2 fin whales and 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins. As a reminder, blue whales and fin whales are (in that order) the largest animals that ever lived on …
9 giants and 2000 dolphins as well.
2018 06-11 SB Channel Captain Tasha and her crew report seeing 7 fin whales, 2 blue whales and 2,000 long-beaked common dolphins today. Conditions were ideal with bright, sunny skies and calm seas. The Condor Express ran from Santa Barbara to the eastern end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island and back in their quest for wildlife. Not far offshore, and …
Two blues on a blustery day with plenty of dolphins too
2018 06-09 SB Channel Today Captain Dave and his crew closely watched 2 giant blue whales and 700 long-beaked common dolphins. It was a sunny day, but things got a bit blustery as we moved offshore, proving the old adage: don’t be fooled by how nice and calm the seas are in and around the harbor. It’s on days like …
Seven giants and hundreds of dolphins.
2018 06-08 SB Channel Captain Dave reports yet another day full of the most giant whales on Earth and dolphins too. Skies were clear and sunny. Seas were calm and flat. The final tally included: 5+ blue whales, 2+ fin whales, and 450 long-beaked common dolphins. The numbers given represent closely watched animals, and the (+) plus sign means more …
Blue, blue and blue.
2018 06-07 SB Channel Clear skies, bright sun and clear, cobalt water near the Channel Islands made for excellent wildlife finding and viewing. Totals for the day included: 3 fin whales and 1 blue whale. Blue sky, blue water and a blue whale! The Condor Express headed southeast and found all the whales in a fertile area in the Lanes …
Another “beast” of a day in the Santa Barbara Channel
2018 06-06 SB Channel It was another beast of a day in the Santa Barbara Channel with 5 giant fin whales, one huge blue whale and 250 long-beaked common dolphins closely watched. Skies were a bit grey and seas had a light chop, but no matter, the sightings were spectacular. On the way out in the morning, about 4 miles …