2016 03-09 SB Channel
We ran a single excursion today leaving the dock around noon. Total marine mammal sightings included 5 gray whales, 2 humpback whales (with more in the distance), and around 550 long-beaked common dolphins. Here are the details:
12 noon By 1215 we were already following along behind a trio of northbound gray whales. They continued to plow head-on into the on-coming swells the whole time we watched. After a dozen or so minutes a second group of 2 more gray whales slowly came up and over-took the trio as the trio took a break and logged.
Near 100pm our first of two pods of long-beaked common dolphins, about 50 strong, came by the Condor Express and showed off an abundance of little calves of all sizes. This was a proud nursery pod. Twenty minutes later I spotted taller spouts and some nice flukes and we headed out a few miles to locate two humpback whales. These were heading south and had 10 – 12 minute down times. There were several more spouts in the vicinity as well as some distant breaching.
The trip ended as we drifted among a much larger pod of long-beaked common dolphins that numbered around 500 individuals.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express