Image: A mob of sea lions follow a humpback whale diving and surfacing
2024 04-02 SB Channel
We experienced calm, glassy seas and lots of humpback whales during two trips, at 9a and 12n. Total sightings for the day included: 9 humpback whales and 30 California sea lions. The crew removed one, deflated, floating Mylar balloon from the ocean surface.
We paid a visit to a hot spot southeast of the Kelp Farm on both excursions today. On the morning cruise we watched 3 individual whales that were engaged in slow motion dives and surface activity. At noon we watched 6 whales (a pair and 4 singles). One of the pair had a pure white tail. Also observed on the noon trip was a mob of sea lions that were diving with the whales, perhaps for sub-surface feeding on the same fish schools. The whales seemed to hold the breath longer, as evidenced by the sea lions coming up (together) a few minutes before the whales. Captain Dave and the crew used the sea lion sentinels to put the Condor Express in good position for seeing the surfacing whales.
Dave moved east and gave a shore tour of Platform Charlie on the way home.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
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