2017 08-27 SB Channel
Captain Eric and his crew had another excellent adventure and found three species of cetaceans in the same hot area we’ve been working for the past week. It was a tad foggy and a light breeze kept things cool, which is a welcomed relief from the inland heat (“inland” being anywhere on the other side of the PCH). Totals for the day included: 4 blue whales, 20 offshore bottlenose dolphins and 100 long-beaked common dolphins.
The first species sighted was the bottlenose dolphin, and following these large dolphins led us to the giant blue whales. At first we saw 2 giant blues with the dolphins, and then, about ¼-mile east, we encountered the same wonderful mother blue whale and her precocious calf known as “Wave.” As reported several times this week, little Wave came to the boat and mugged us…acting a lot more like a friendly humpback whale than a stately blue. Today the interactions were as before, and left us wondering why this particular little blue whale was so different (i.e., friendly). Today’s photograph was taken by the Condor Express crew about a week ago and shows the behavior of Wave clearly.
Eric also took a tour of the northeastern sea cliffs of Santa Cruz Island, and went inside beautiful Potato Harbor for a look around. What a treat! On the way home the common dolphins found us and spent time riding our waves.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
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