2017 06-29 SB Channel
Captain Dave and his crew closely watched 9 blue whales, 4 humpback whales and 500 long-beaked common dolphins. The day started out with a marine layer, but by the time we got across the Santa Barbara Channel and into the giant blue whale grounds, the sun was brightly shining. What an amazing summer.
Our first sightings took place when over 100 dolphins found the Condor Express and, before long, a single humpback was seen about ½-mile away. Why do we watch a humpback so far away? Simple. Because it was lob-tailing, pectoral fin-slapping, and breaching…all in the distance. By the time we got near its location, all the fussing and behaviors had ceased, but we did find 3 more humpback whales in the area. As we continued on a southerly track we encountered a couple hundred additional dolphins.
South of The Lanes, and east of The Cave, we entered the land of the giants. There was just enough breeze out near Santa Cruz Island to do wonderful things to the tall spouts of these blue whales. We closely watched 9 giant blue whales, but Captain Dave reports many more spouts all around the zone. On the way home, another couple hundred dolphins were closely watched.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
Comments