A humpback whale was seen surface lunge feeding.
We headed southwest to a spot just south of the shipping lanes. Here we had about 2,500 or so common dolphins feeding on anchovies. This created a ruckus and attracted all sorts of sea birds. In addition to the usual sooty shearwaters, brown pelicans, Heermann’s gulls, and western gulls, a large number of little noisy elegant terns have been in the mix. Naturally, the abundance of food in the water soon attracted five humpback whales. There were many more whales a couple of miles southwest of us, and two more around mid-Channel on the way home.
These humpback whales were pretty much all business (feeding below the surface), but a couple of wonderful surface lunges were observed and, of course, sent the sea birds scattering for their lives. Sea lions were also in the frenzy.
One large ocean sunfish (Mola mola) with its dorsal fin missing was seen on the way out, as well as a cluster of 8 or 9 dinner plate sized Mola’s. It was a bright sunny day with moderate winds and chop that diminished as the day progressed.
Some reminders about our schedule for tomorrow and Thursday: Only one open, public whale watch trip will be run tomorrow morning with an early departure time of 8am, returning around 1230. No open public trips will run on Thursday due to private charter commitments.
best Bob Perry Condor Express
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