2021 03-16 SB CHANNEL
EIGHT GRAY WHALES AND 2 SURFING MINKE WHALES
It was cold, clear and sunny. The wind was light and variable and a swell from the northwest came through from yesterday’s wind. Totals for the day: 8 gray whales and 2 Minke whales. (All the grays today were sub-adults)
The 9am trip headed west until we located our first pair of gray whales just off the UCSB coast. After some nice quality looks Captain Dave turned the boats and angled offshore and down east towards Platform Habitat. Near Habitat the second pair of grays were located and watched. Finally, on the way home, a single gray punctuated the morning trip.
At noon we found the first whale just off the lighthouse and followed along behind at a safe distance for a while as its course moved offshore slightly. A few miles off the coast of Hope Ranch our final pair of grays was watched. As on the morning run, Dave moved out and headed east. As described in the introduction, wave trains were moving from the west channel although, without wind, they were not uncomfortable for us humans.
Close to Habitat we found and watched a pair of amazing Minke whales engaged in surfing these open ocean swells. (Practically everything in the ocean surfs). Even more amazing: the two kahunas soon found a faster and more regular wave to ride and they proceeded to surf the stern waves of the Condor Express.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com