Image: a pec slappin’ humpback.
2024 11–30 SB Channel
Captain Danny and the crew headed southeast in the general direction of the eastern end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island. Skies had a high, gray stratus layer but on the water, we had excellent lateral visibility. The ocean surface was glassy. Sightings: 3+ humpback whales, 5 Dall’s porpoise, 5 Risso’s dolphins and 150 offshore bottlenose dolphins.
As we moved along our southeasterly course heading, we came across a pair of humpback whales. They were very elusive and we essentially had only a fleeting glimpse and did not stop on them. We headed for a breach in the distance.
On the way to investigate the breach, a small, high-speed pod of living torpedoes (aka, Dall’s porpoise) came streaking through the area. They were not interested in the Condor Express today, and we continued onward towards the breach area. Our breaching whale was charging west with long dive times. We had a couple of quick-but-good looks, and continued on our way to the island.
Adjacent to the eastern end of Santa Cruz we encountered a small pod of 6 Risso’s dolphins. Good looks were had by all as the big white dolphins were boat-friendly today.
Our friend Devin from Santa Barbara Whale Watching, gave us a “heads up” about a pair of very active whale to our west. On the scene we joined him in watching the two beasts that went non-stop for 10-15 breaches in a row. They also rolled around and slapped their pectoral flippers (see today’s photo for an example).
On our way home a large herd of very active offshore bottlenose dolphins located us. There was a lot of aerial acrobatics today and everyone on board was thrilled.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Comments