Another UCSB group chartered the Condor Express for the morning, so our public whale watch was an afternoon adventure. The seas had been calm all morning but, with perfect timing, turned windy at our stern for the ride home. Sightings included 4 humpback whales, 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins, and at least 30 offshore bottlenose dolphins.
The activity shifted to the southeastern Santa Barbara Channel as most of the life we followed was in the general vicinity of Habitat. The whales and dolphins were moving east, but would stop now and again as a small hot spot developed around anchovies. The sea birds and sea lions joined the whales and dolphins on these spots. After some very nice looks Captain Eric gave a tour of the western end of Santa Cruz Island including brief trip inside the mouth of the world-famous Painted Cave. Bird of the day would have to be the numerous pigeon guillemots flying into the Cave with fish in their mouths.
On the way home a medium-sized herd of offshore bottlenose dolphins came over to play with the boat. Several calves were in the group. It is always special to see offshore bottlenose dolphins.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
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