2017 07-17 SB Channel Skies were covered all day by a high stratus layer, and seas were extremely calm. Captain Eric and his team set-up and got great looks at: 6 humpback whales, 750 long-beaked common dolphins and 1 large Mola mola (ocean sunfish). The excursion today made good sightings on both sides of the Santa Barbara Channel. The inaugural … Read More
Two thousand dolphins
2016 05-16 SB Channel Captain Eric spotted wildlife with his “eyes and ears” Auggie today as we circumnavigated the eastern Santa Barbara Channel and, in particular, the Flats. Our first sighting was at Platform Gilda where a large gas burn off flame was firing up and it left a smoke stream. Nearby we had our first large herd of … Read More
El Niño and Whales
Regular readers of our sightings reports may be wondering why there has been a lack of posts so far in 2016. The new year has begun with a series of long-awaited El Niño related storms. Each of these storms has generated very large ocean swells and strong winds. Not exactly ideal wildlife watching conditions. So it is that the … Read More
A whole lot of dolphins
2015 09-22 SB Channel A whole lot of dolphins Captain Dave took the Condor Express down to the eastern Channel first thing this morning and had a whole lot of long-beaked common dolphins, perhaps 2,000 or so. That is a whole lot of dolphins. Next he ran the Lanes back west to West Point, Santa Cruz Island and located the … Read More
Gluttony on the high seas – massive humpback lunging session
2015 06-25 SB Channel NOTE: “Gluttony” may be a bit anthropomorphic, but it helps me relate to you the spectacular humpback whale feeding episodes we witnessed today out past Charlie. There was dense fog in our neck of the Santa Barbara Channel, in fact the NOAA fog website showed the whole darned place fogged in. At times our lateral … Read More
TONS of humpback whales, dolphins (and a nice Cave trip)
2015 06-18 SB Channel There was a thick marine stratus layer most of the day and as we departed Santa Barbara there was a light breeze from the west. Sea conditions were great. At 10:30am, about 2 miles south of the Harbor, Captain Eric kept the Condor Express in good visual range of about 200 long-beaked common dolphins. Our … Read More
A Fantastic Sunny Day for Cetaceans (and Pelicans too)
2015 05-20 SB Channel Our first sighting of the excursion came along quite soon after Captain Eric took the Condor Express out of Santa Barbara. It was a mix of at least 500 long-beaked common dolphins and a lot of California sea lions spread out over a wide area and containing mostly mothers with their calves. This is always … Read More
Humpback Whales put on a Show on the North Side of the Channel
2015 05-19 SB Channel Captain Dave headed out into the Santa Barbara Channel in search of #whales and #dolphins today. Near More Mesa he spotted the first humpback whale spouts. There were whales stretched all the way up to Campus Point, and 8 were watched closely today. Much of the action occurred within hot spots where anchovies were being concentrated … Read More
Whales and Wind and Dolphins too
2015 05-07 SB Coast A moderate breeze tore through the coastal zone today as the edge of a very late winter storm (that will probably produce a lot more wind than rain) began to show itself. Wind waves were 4 feet or so from the west, but this did not deter our crafty and multitalented Captain Dave from gingerly heading … Read More
A Fresh Breeze Deters Neither Gray Whales, Dolphins or the Condor Express
2015 05-06 SB Coast Captain Dave ran one trip on the Condor Express today, departing scenic Santa Barbara at 12 noon to search for wildlife in the abundant waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. Dave’s “eyes and ears” man, deckhand Augie, quickly spotted a small yet active pod of about 100 long-beaked common dolphins about a half mile east … Read More