Image: a photograph of our friend Scarlet showing her characteristic propeller scar with bowling ball-size nodules. Use this link for the story of Scarlet and her gallery:
2024 10–23 SB Channel
Captain Dave and the crew took the Condor Express on a giant loop, first to the west and then to the east. Seas were a little bit bumpy, but skies were clear and sunny. Water clarity was that superb “Santa Barbara cobalt” color. Sightings for the day included 2500 common dolphins and 2 humpback whales.
During the initial westerly portion of our loop, we started seeing dolphins in very small pods southwest of the Kelp Farm. When we turned east, just past The Buoy, there were several big pods, some with over 1000 individuals. It was here that we found our old friend, Scarlet. She was all business today with short dive times and constant slow travel to the east. We had good looks. The crew also picked up one deflated, clear, floating, Mylar balloon from the ocean surface.
After moving further east, we were about 8 miles south of Santa Barbara. We found larger pods of dolphins, many of them were actively feeding, and there were a couple of nice BS2 birdnados.
A second whale popped up in the midst. It interacted with the dolphins by rolling around with them, swishing its tail and tried to touch them with its long pec fins. Fun to see! It also made a close pass by the Condor Express’s bow.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store
Bob Perry
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