2 Trips and a Nice Variety of Cetaceans
After sighting a sea turtle yesterday, the focus was on cetaceans today.
Two trips left the docks and our route took us down the coast to the southeast as well as near the islands to the southwest. The weather and sea conditions were very good today, making all this travel mileage possible using the speed of the Condor Express. There were common dolphins all day including both trips, and Captain Dave estimates at least 2,500. Minke whales were also seen on both trips, with 5 or more of these elusive little mysticetes showing themselves to their fans. Near the world famous Painted Cave, on one trip, there was a nice pod of at least 75 Risso’s dolphins…always nice to see on a sunny day in clear water. And on the afternoon trip we got into an area with humpback whales and closely watched two of them with more in the area. Down times were short and tail flukes were frequent.
All in all it was a very productive day on the Santa Barbara Channel.
Two schedule changes: Tomorrow, Saturday, we do not have an open public whale watch. The American Cetacean Society has a charter. On Monday, the public whale watch will be from 1 pm to 530 pm.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry Condor Express