A single hotspot with several birdnados produced several thousand dolphins and a wonderful, active, juvenile humpback.

Image: a juvenile humpback whale breached  near one of our local oil and gas platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel.

2026 06–07 SB Channel

There was a high gray stratus layer again today. But unlike earlier in the week, we had little more swell and a fresh breeze today. Most of the action took place S of the Santa Barbara oil rigs and near Platform Habitat. Totals for the day: 2000 common dolphins, 50 California sea lions and 1 humpback whale.

Several small birdnodos lead captain Eddy and the crew to a rich area with a couple of thousand dolphins feeding alongside at least 50 sea lions. A single juvenile humpback whale was feeding sub-surface in the area. We spent about an hour with this Leviathan. In addition to going about its feeding business, it woke up everybody with a nice breach close to the boat. (See today’s photograph for an example, and ID information below).

You never know what mother nature has in store.

Bob Perry

condorexpressphotos.com

NOTE: Our friend and whale-tail ID expert, Mark O'Brien, was able to use his camera skills alongside happywhale.com to identify today's juvenile humpback whale. It's designation is HW-MN0504107.

It has been previously recordes three times since it was first entered into the system in May, 2026. I was observed twice off Palos Verdes, CA, and once west of the city of San Clemente, CA. Today was it's first recorded observation from the Santa Barbara Channel. Prior to today, it was last sighted also in May, 2026. Thanks, Mark!