2019 04-03 SB Channel
What a spectacular day it was out in the Channel! The overcast skies that were around in the morning completely cleared to blue sky with warm sun shining on us for the rest of the day. Add that to the absolutely glassy surface and wildlife viewing was just fantastic. Sightings for the day included 1000 long-beaked common dolphins, 2 humpback whales, 1 northern elephant seal, and a literally thousands and thousands of the hydrozoan Velella velella. The little jellies, Velella, were all over the region today. Whether it was with the dolphins or with the whales, they persisted on the beautiful glassy surface.
Our first, middle, and last sightings were surrounded completely by very slow moving and curious dolphins. We started watching them at 11:30 AM and stayed with them until we pulled out of the area at 1:30 PM. It was an excellent, off the charts, dolphin encounter.
It was not long after our first meeting with the dolphins that a very large humpback whale came into view. We stayed with this amazing animal for quite a while also. It made several very friendly close approaches to the Condor Express. The water remains crystal clear and “Santa Barbara cobalt blue”. Watching the beast as it swam above and below the surface was utterly fantastic.
At one point, the herd of dolphins passed through a spot were a very young northern elephant seal pup was hanging out, catching its breath. We only had a quick look because the animal returned to deep waters almost immediately. On the way back to the harbor a second humpback came into view for a short while. You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com
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