Image: A humpback whales’ ventral surface, showing expanded blubber grooves, during a dramatic sideways lunge on an anchovy school.
2023 05-19 SB Channel
Gray skies and mirror glass seas again today with another near-record-breaking day for humpback whales…and more. Sightings included 16+ humpback whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins. The crew stopped to pick up several feral, floating balloons from the ocean surface.
Our first cetaceans were a pair of whales located 3 miles south of Hope Ranch. After some nice looks we moved further offshore and located a mother humpback with her calf. The calf breached twice very close to the bow.
Our next stop was on a major northern anchovy hot spot. This area was full of common dolphins and hungry sea birds all feeding near the surface. Soon 3 additional whales came into the area and began side-lunging on the surface. (see today’s photograph).
Cruising from whale to whale around the area, Captain Devin and his renowned crew saw single whales, pairs and even some trios. There were additional whales aplenty that we did not have time to watch. A few pectoral fin slaps were seen.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com