Image: Humpback tail-throw
2023 07-05 SB CHANNEL
Visibility was good today with a very high marine layer. Sees were flat and calm and there was not much swell. All of this led to another record-breaking day: 21+ humpback whales 4000 long-beaked common dolphins and the 120 California sea lions.
Captain Dave and the crew ran to the southwest ended up out near the NOAA east Channel Buoy where there was a lot of activity today. To put it mildly. On our way out, 3 miles south Goleta Bay, several medium-size pods of dolphins came. There were perhaps 200 individuals spread over a mile or so of water. Lots of sea birds were around to keep the dolphin pod company.
We continued west-southwest until we were near The Buoy. We found all of the remaining marine life within just a mile or two. Things started when we watched one adult humpback whale that was moving quickly to the south… I.e. taking us offshore into deeper water. We fall along and this animal served as our tour guide and brought us to the mother load of dolphins and humpbacks that would occupy our time for the rest of the trip.
Keep in mind we were surrounded by common dolphins throughout the rest of the trip. Humpbacks did carry on a bit and we saw pec slapping, a half breach, two or three surface-lunge feeding episodes, some tail throws (see today's photo), four or five quick muggings, and one legitimate breach.
In the most active areas we saw three or four mobs of California sea lions that contained about 40 animals each. They blended in with the dolphins and the whales install a mouth full of bait anytime they could.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry.
Condor Express, and.
It was a fantastic tour! Thx for the unforgettable adventure. S.A. from Germany