Image: gray whales mating
2023 03-06 SB Coast
Two trips left the dock today and they were completely different from each other. Seas were flat and calm. Skies were sunny until late in the afternoon trip when early clouds from an approaching storm were seen. Sightings were phenomenal: 3+ gray whales, 2 humpback whales and 50 California sea lions.
Both trips ran to the far west along the coast. Towards the end of the westward leg, Captain Dave circled around the historic and non-functioning oil platform Holly. In the morning we ran quite a bit past Holly to near the Elwood Beach area. We closely watched a group of 3 amorous gray whales in very clear water. Mating was taking place and shamelessly happened right next to the boat. Floyd was observed. Running late to the docks, we had a fleeting look at 2 additional gray whales without time to stop.
At noon we repeated the Holly tour and then found 2 actively feeding humpback whales south of the oil platform. The pair was working alongside a nice mob of sea lions, which made it easy to predict where the whale would surface. The sea lions seem to not have a long of a down time capability, so when they all surface (together), we know where to look for whales that soon follow.
The Condor Express will not be running tomorrow as an “atmospheric river” storm condition is predicted.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com
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