Image: Two gray whales in the Santa Barbara Channel
2023 12-28 SB Channel
There was no wind and the skies were overcast for the first 20 min of the trip, then it was sunny. A very large, long-period, swell was rolling through the Channel. The water is still quite clear. Sightings today included: 3 gray whales, 1 humpback whale, 700 long-beaked common dolphins and 60 California sea lions.
Just 4 miles south of the harbor we spent quality time with three southbound migrating gray whales. There was a pair (see today’s photo for an example) that was joined by a third whale. All the whales were in travel mode and could be followed underwater due to the water clarity and the exceptional piloting skills of the crew. There was a bit of rolling around and some exciting close passes were seen, too.
We moved offshore about 10 miles and found a spread-out herd of common dolphins. They were chasing isolated bait balls alongside plenty of sea birds and some California sea lions. A nearby breaching whale caught our eye and, on the scene, we found and watched an active young humpback whale. The frisky juvenile breached a few times near the Condor Express, and then quit to survey the area.
Bob PerryCondor Express, and
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