Image: The “Blue Srtreak,”a giant blue whale is seen underwater in the Santa Barbara Channel.
2024 06-18 SB Channel
Captain Eddy and the crew found a glassy ocean surface with clear, sunny skies all day. Sightings for the day included: 350 common dolphins, 5 giant blue whales, and 2 humpback whales. In addition, the crew retrieved a single deflated, floating, Mylar balloon from the ocean surface.
Just 1 mile south of Ledbetter Beach, a pod of 150 common dolphins located the Condor Express. We had wonderful looks at this pod, a nursery pod. Loads of little calves everywhere were riding our bow, side, and stern waves. Cowabunga! Additional dolphins would be found all the way across the channel in small groups.
When we reached the Separation Zone near the eastern end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island, we came upon the same 2 large adult humpback whales that we watch yesterday. Wouldn’t you know it, their behavior was similar today: they did a lot of logging on the surface and drifted close to the boat a couple of times.
We moved east, in the general direction of Anacapa Island, and soon came upon an area with at least five giant blue whales. They were up and down all around the boat. Lots of nice tail flutes today.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
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