image: Platform Charlie in the Santa Barbara Channel
Skies were clear and there was a light chop on the water. Water clarity was poor nearshore due to the runoff from recent storms, but 4 miles out it was clear. Sightings today included: 2 humpback whales and 1500 long-beaked common dolphins.
We watched 3 megapods of dolphins about 8 miles offshore, between the Kelp Farm and The Lanes. The pods were separated from eachother by a few hundred yards and all contained lots of young calves.
On the edge of the lanes we found two whales about a mile apart. The first had 8 min down times and seemed to be feeding subsurface. The second had much shorter down times and was traveling east...we followed along and had great looks.
On the way home Captain Dave did a circle around Platform Charlie (see photo above) and discussed oil and gas drilling in the Channel.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and