Image: a friendly humpback whale spy hops right next to the Condor Express during a mugging event similar to what happened today in the Channel
2024 10–27 SB Channel
Captain Danny and the crew report calm seas with occasional patches of low clouds during the trip today. Sightings were phenomenal and go way beyond just these total counts: 250 common dolphins and 12 humpback whales.
Our first whale was sighted near Platform Habitat with a small pod of 50 common dolphins nearby. It showed good flukes on every dive and had a relatively short five minute downtime. Everyone had a good looks before we turned and started heading west.
A breach in the distance brought us to a second humpback whale which turned out to be relatively shy. We continued west and passed by another pair of humpback whales on our way to an area where repeated breaching was going on by a pair of whales. The duo breached at least 10 times in a row. Then, apparently seeking a little bit of relaxation after all that breaching, the pair mugged the boat for 30 minutes during which time there was a lot of spy hopping, pectoral fins waving in the air, rolling around, and other friendly behaviors. A pod of 100 dolphins came through the zone.
To the west we found 5 more whales: a trio and a pair. We stayed with the trio which may have been socializing/courting. It appeared to be 2 males trying to get the attention of a single female. The female was not interested and repeatedly threw her tail at the other humpbacks when they got a bit too frisky. During this time, the whales mugged the boat and some of the tail throws we’re just a few feet away from peoplr on board the Condor Express.
On the way home, some breaching in the distance turned out to be another 2 whales. We drove by slowly and everyone was out on deck having a blast watching even more airborne activity albeit at a moderate distance.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry condorexpressphotos.com
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