2017 10-12 SB Channel
Sea conditions were excellent in the northern Santa Barbara Channel again today and, as reported earlier this week, there are some nice whale-dolphin-sea bird hot spots. Sightings included: 9 humpback whales and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins.
A bit further east than yesterday’s action, 9 miles south of Goleta Bay, hundreds of dolphins took a quick break from sub-surface feeding and located the Condor Express. Soon the humpback whales came up for air as they, too, appeared to be feeding below water line. Most of the whales were adults and laser focused on feeding. There was one mother whale with her calf in the mix. A few random and unexpected behaviors such as tail throws and breaches took place in the distance, but still visible from the boat.
The trip home included a swing past offshore oil and gas platform C, the closest oil rig to Santa Barbara Harbor and the first in the Carpinteria line of rigs. Captain Dave gave a short discourse on the history, function and current status of the rigs in our Channel.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
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