A very productive birdnado, humpbacks, dolphins, and sea lions.
- Bob Perry
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Image: a BS-4 birdnado with dolphins, sea lions, a couple of nice humpback whale spouts, and plenty of predatory seabirds.
2026 06–01 SB Channel
Although skies were sunny, the coastal waters were a little bit churned-up with chop from the SE wind, washing-up against a 4 foot, short interval, W swell. As we moved offshore, conditions improved. Totals for the day included: 2 humpback whales, 2000 common dolphins, and at least 100 California sea lions.
Captain Eddy spotted a single, juvenile, humpback whale 2 miles SE of the Harbor entrance. It was an easy-going whale, and fun to watch. All the while it was moving further SE towards offshore oil platform C, which is among the 4 Santa Barbara rigs (running from W to E: C, B, A and Hillhouse).
Upon arriving at platform C, we became surrounded by a large birdnado, where we quickly found a second juvenile humpback whale. There were also 100 California sea lions feeding alongside a megapod of 1000 common dolphins. A birdnado is one of the wonders of nature and they pop up, rather unexpectedly, as a large anchovy school comes to the surface.
After a while, Eddy headed for calmer seas by heading SW. 6 miles later we were surrounded by another megapod of 1000 common dolphins. On the way home, he took us towards the 3 Carpinteria oil rigs (again running W to E: Henry, Houchin, and Hogan), where there was a very small pod of 25 dolphins.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
