2019 09-01 SB Channel
The hot weather inland brought dense fog back to the Santa Barbara Channel. Visibilities were near zero for the first half of the trip, and only opened up to about 1 mile in the afternoon. Nevertheless, the crew used all of its skills and tricks to locate 2 humpback whales, 500 long-beaked common dolphins and 1 blue shark. Seas were calm.
The dolphins were around most of the day but their population sizes were small due to our inability to see very far. All of the pods we watched were friendly and, even in dense fog, it is fun to watch them ride our bow, side and stern waves.
The first whale was located on our way southwest to a region near the NOAA buoy (Station 46053 (LLNR 196) – EAST SANTA BARBARA – 12NM Southwest of Santa Barbara, CA). Much like the second whale we watched later in the day, its dive times were short and surface looks were good. The aforementioned second whale was found southwest of Platform Holly where it was mixed in with dolphins.
On the way back to the harbor a medium-sized (6 foot) blue shark was found finning on the surface. It continued to swim on, and just under, the surface so everyone on board had a good view.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com
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