Image: A humpback is seen surface lunge-feeding on its side
2023 10-25 SB Channel
A high, gray stratus layer persisted throughout the trip but for the final hour. Seas had a light choppiness and winds were light in the morning but increased as the day moved along. Sightings included: 14+ humpback whales and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins.
We stopped briefly a couple of miles south of Hendry’s to watch a small pod of dolphins with seabirds feeding all around, then we continued southwest. When we were 9 miles off UCSB we watched 5 whales with more in the area. Dolphins were present here, too. All the whales (all day) were constantly moving around the area seemingly at random. At this first sighting, there were nice tail flukes shown as well as one tail-throw.
Southeast of The Buoy we watched 2 more whales from a group of 3. One swam off. Again, a tail throw was seen plus a few instances of rolling around on the surface. More whales were in the near distance.
On the way home we came up on a group of 6 whales and saw some sideways lunge-feeding (see today’s photo for an example). Again…more dolphins.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store,
Bob Perry Condor Express, and
Do you realize that the post you just posted today, Oct. 25, is actually the same as that which was posted for Oct. 21? HA! :)