Image: a giant blue whale and its spout near Santa Cruz Island.
2024 05-24 SB Channel
Captain Eddy and the crew ran southeast today and ended up between The Lanes and Chinese Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. Skies were clear, and there was a little bit of chop. Seas were otherwise glassy until we got near the island where the wind picked up. Sightings today: 1 giant blue whale, 1 gray whale, and 120 common dolphins.
There was another gray whale in the harbor entrance today. (we had one a couple weeks ago). It was a small whale, perhaps a large juvenile. We got some good looks as we transited the area and headed for the open ocean. Per usual, kayaks and SUVers were already getting a too close, IOHO.
Two or 3 miles out from the harbor, we ran into a very small pod of common dolphins that were scattered out across a wide area. They were so busy feeding they paid very little attention to the Condor Express! Didn’t someone send them the memo?
When we reached the giant blue whale, we found it to be following an interesting diving/surface interval pattern: The whale mixed in some 10 to 15 minute dives with long surface intervals, with short 2 or 3 minute dives and shorter service intervals. We stayed with this animal, at a safe distance, and watched for over an hour. Seeing the largest animal that ever lived on earth in action, with beautiful Santa Cruz Island nearby, can be a life-changing experience. Captain Eddy said they were other spouts in the area and least one of them had a very tall spout…possibly a second blue whale.
SIDE NOTE: although blue whales are not technically blue, sometimes they have a little bluish/gray tint when the sun hit them at the right angle. Many of us believe the name “blue whale” comes from the way they look when their bodies are seen underwater such as in today’s image above.
On the way home, near the oil rigs, we found another pod of dolphins that was a bit more boat-friendly. It was a great way to round out the trip.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
such a great almost full shot!
Big and Blue!