2021 08-17 SB Channel
It was mostly overcast except for the sunlight that beamed down on the humpback whales. Sightings included 12 coastal bottlenose dolphins, 5000 long-beaked common dolphins and 4 humpback whales.
Common dolphins were around all day and pods varied in size from small to very large. All seemed to divide their attention between subsurface feeding and visiting their fans on the Condor Express. The mega pods kicked-up some interest from the local seabird masses. Strangely…no sea lions in the mix today.
As we left the harbor we encountered a group of coastal bottlenose dolphins moving east along the coast. By the time we got into a safe viewing and following position they were in the East Beach anchorage. We had great looks.
Our first whale was a juvenile just south of The Lanes off the western end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island. We watched it for a nice period of time as it spent much of its time feeding below the ocean surface.
Later in the trip, north of The Lanes, and on the way home, 3 large adult whales located us and made a bee-line to the boat. The proceeded to set up close to our hulls and mug the heck out of us. There was lots of vocalization, rolling around and a few “fire hose” spout jets. Captain Dave stayed as long as we could and we got home a bit tardy.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com
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