Image: A few Purple sailor jellies, Velella velella, found on the beach
2023 05-26 SB Channel
It was an overcast day with a bit of wind and light chop. We ran south towards the NOAA East Channel Buoy. Sightings included 2000 Long-beaked common dolphins, 2 Humpback whales and 1 Ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
In addition to a few (perhaps 30) dolphins close to the harbor, we also watched a GIANT adult ocean sunfish (Mola mola) actively gorging itself on purple sailor jellies (Velella velella…see photo above).
Later, near The Buoy, there was a mega pod of dolphins and two whales in the area. We watched 1 adult and 1 juvenile humpback through several breathing cycles in choppy seas. Nice tail flukes were seen.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com
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