2022 02-20 SB Coast
Captain Devin and the crew found partly sunny skies and calm seas along the coast of Santa Barbara today and during all three excursions: 9, noon and 3. Sightings were unexpectedly good, perhaps because it is supposed to be the northward migration time for gray whales, and here is what we saw: 12+ humpback whales, 300 California sea lions and 150 long-beaked common dolphins.
Whales were seen on all 3 trips. They were feeding, and sometimes surface lunge-feeding, in the same general spot all day. We were several miles south of Platform Holly when crewperson Adam saw spouts in the distance. We ended up following quite a few humpbacks here, with many more spouts in the near distance. In addition to the surface lunging behavior, a very close, full-body breach near the Condor Express was experienced in the afternoon. At noon, two whales were logging. A mob of sea lions was watched feeding along with the morning humpbacks.
Dolphins were first noted when a rare isolated pair were found not far outside the harbor. A much larger pod was actively feeding along with seabirds, and sea lions at the humpback hot spot.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com
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