Image: A mother humpback with her calf.
2023 04-22 SB Coast
Despite blue skies and zero wind, the trips today were a bit bumpy due to overnight winds in the far west. Sightings were good: 7 humpback whales and 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola). A 9a and a 12n trip explored the coastal waters today.
On the morning run we ended up watching a mother humpback and her calf about 6 miles off Goleta. Mom showed us her tail flukes a few times. A single small ocean sunfish (Mola mola) was briefly watched.
The noon trip first found humpbacks 6 miles off Shoreline Park. It was another mother/calf pair. Mom was identified as “Specks.” Specks was first seen in 2008 and has been recorded as far north at San Francisco, and south to Puerto Vallarta, MX. This was the first time she was recorded with a calf, and her gender was unknown previously. Later, the pair was joined by a third, larger adult. Yet another mother humpback with her calf was also seen in the area.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com