Image: A humpback whale enjoys some sensual kelping.
2024 11-08 SB Channel
Captain Eddy and the crew experienced gorgeous weather with glassy seas. A bit of haze from local Moorpark and Camarillo fires lurked to the far south and east. Sightings were very good: 13 humpback whales, 2500 common dolphins and 1 Minke whale. In addition, the crew picked up 2 floating, deflated, Mylar balloons and one 5-gallon jug from the ocean surface.
On our way to a humpback area, southeast of The Kelp Farm, we slowed to watch a friendly Minke whale that came by and surfaced five times for some very good looks. The humpback area mentioned above hosted 6 whales, a duo, a trio and a single. We watched the singleton for 40 minutes of uninterrupted kelping. (See today’s photo for an example). This was definitely a total body seaweed experience (for the whale), as attention was paid to the head/rostrum, the back/dorsal fin, and tail flukes…rinse and repeat.
West of Platform Habitat we had a short session with a trio of whales that were, presumably, feeding sub-surface. We investigated a nearby birdnado and watched a few hundred dolphins prey upon the surface anchovy schools that were everywhere…in crystal clear Santa Barbara cobalt visibility.
Moving southwest we found an additional two pairs of whales for some nice, albeit quick, looks.
On the trip home we slowed to interact with a megapod of around 2000 additional dolphins.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
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