2018 11-21 SB Channel
The first “winter” storm of the season was on its way towards California and there was a little southeast chop and swell in advance of its arrival. Nonetheless, the well-honed navigational skills of Captain Dave and his crew were able to make the most out of the conditions and resulted in fabulous sightings of 5 humpback whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins. A juvenile whale stole the show.
Dave headed southwest, putting the prevailing seas astern. Several miles beyond platform Holly, a hotspot full of whales and dolphins was intercepted. Scarlet and her fairly-well-grown calf were among the whales and, once again, the juvenile whale stole the show. For about an hour it breached, threw its tail, and did some chin-slapping. Captain Dave took the iPhone photo that accompanies this report. Often, as if responding to the juvenile whales’ behavior, other whales in the vicinity did a series of tail-throws.
It was a mesmerizing display of the power and energy of humpback whales as seen close up on the safety of the Condor Express decks. This is why humpbacks are always on the list of the top whales to watch in the Santa Barbara Channel.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com
PS Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!