Image: Another kelping humpback today…working it with its tail.
2023 07-29 SB Channel
But for a short 45 minutes of disturbing fog, were under bright blue and sunny skies. There was no wind to speak of, and that westerly swell was smaller yet today. Sightings were very good: 100 California sea lions, 1500 long-beaked common dolphins, 7 humpback whales and 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
We spent a nice amount of time with a group of 200 or more dolphins that had lots of calves in the mix. There was also a lot of mating and attempted mating going on. Once in a while the pod would pass through a small anchovy school, and then the upside-down swimming could have been feeding, or not. Sea lions were also present in this area.
We watched a larger pod of dolphins next. It had a single humpback which we followed around even after the dolphins left the area. This whale bellowed a loud trumpet call on practically every dive. It turns out the whale has an “official” name, Sachmo, after the famous jazz trumpeter, and our friend Mark who was on board today was the person who first named it! A reunion of sorts.
We headed west as the fog lifted and passed by the NOAA East Channel Buoy. Nearby we found scattered dolphins and one more whale. A few miles further west we found a large hot spot full of dolphins and at least 5 more whales. There was a large mob of “porpoising” sea lions, too.
On the way home we saw another whale and more dolphins.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com