2017 09-14 SB Channel
Captain Dave and his crew had spectacular sea conditions, bright sun and only a light afternoon breeze in our neck of the Santa Barbara Channel today. Sightings for the day included: 11 humpback whales and at least 1,500 long-beaked common dolphins.
About half-way across the Channel and to the west of Santa Barbara our first activity zone was encountered. Here we found hundreds of dolphins actively feeding and about 5 whales following the dolphins. One of the whales was our pal “Scarlet,” the star of yesterday’s excursion.
A short run over to the northern sea cliffs and Painted Cave of Santa Cruz Island allowed time to search the southern Channel for cetaceans. It also allowed time for Captain Dave to share his finely-honed knowledge about this island, and for him to bring the Condor Express into the mouth of the first Cave chamber.
On the way home another half-dozen whales were found following hundreds of additional dolphins as they all located food (northern anchovy schools below the surface). There was an abundance of fluking-up and even some mighty tail-throws towards the end of our encounter.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
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