Image: a pair of gray whales on a windy day.
2024 03-13 SB Channel
Although skies were blue, the moderately bumpy seas on the 9a trip had some wind added to the scene during the 12n adventure. Total sightings: 6 gray whales, 1800 long-beaked common dolphins and 200 California sea lions.
Just 3 mile out from the harbor we found a pair of gray whales on the morning run. They were headed SOUTH bound, which is a little late, but not concerning. Also, whales do not swim in a straight line and often double back. The pair was easy to watch as they traveled just beneath the surface. Just north of the whales we spotted a birdnado. On the scene we saw 1000 common dolphins and several groups of sea lions.
Noon sightings kicked off with another large common dolphin pod which passed by at least 100 sea lions sleeping/rafting/thermoregulating on the surface together…on a relatively bumpy day! Captain Dave headed south east and looped around Platform Habitat, where he spoke a bit about the status of offshore drilling for oil and gas in The Channel. Later we spent time with a trio of north bound gray whales. On the way home we slowly passed a single whale.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store,
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
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