2017 08-17 SB Channel
The middle Santa Barbara Channel region was teeming with humpback whales. In one zone we closely watched 11, but there easily could have been 20 or more. Two Minke whales and 1,500 long-beaked common dolphins were also closely watched. It was a spectacular day with bright sun and crystal clear Santa Barbara cobalt blue water.
All the action centered around what we call the “mid-Channel buoy,” although NOAA actually calls it “Station 46053 (LLNR 196) – EAST SANTA BARBARA – 12NM Southwest of Santa Barbara.” Dolphins mobbed the Condor Express and were found feeding all over the zone, all day long. There were many huge areas filled with surface northern anchovy schools, and the sea birds, sea lions and humpback whales all joined the dolphins. There were also 2 Minke whales in the zone, one was really big. Several of the humpbacks did some quick and spontaneous surface feeding, and a couple others paid friendly, close visits to the boat.
Captain Dave also took the Condor Express into the first chamber of the world-famous Painted Cave during his brief tour of the northern sea cliffs of Santa Cruz Island.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
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