Image: a pod of common dolphins with beautiful Santa Cruz Island in back.
2025 02-22 SB Channel
Two trips left the Santa Barbara Landing docks today, 9a and 12n. We ventured into the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area under clear blue skies and with glassy seas. Total sightings for the day included 1400 common dolphins and 1 humpback whale.
We watched 3 different groups of dolphins. Two happened on the morning trip including a large pod under a big Birdnado BS5. In the afternoon, a pod nearly the same size was watched in The Lanes, near The Cave, with Santa Cruz Island in the background. (See today’s photo for an example).
After leaving The Lanes in the afternoon, a short spout led us to a very small humpback whale. Captain Dave could not decide whether it was a calf (no mom in the short time we were on station), or a very small juvenile.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry