Image: Long-beaked common dolphins feeding on a northern anchovy school.
2023 6-17 SB Channel
The same hotspot, north of The Lanes and southwest of Platform Holly, was on fire again today (as it has been for 3 days in a row now). BUT, today it was sunny and bright all day…a break in the months-long coastal marine stratus layer! Sightings included: 4+ humpback whales and 3500 long-beaked common dolphins.
Seemingly endless numbers of northern anchovies were on the surface and being “herded” into tight bait balls by dolphins below and hungry seabirds from above. Signature upside-down feeding by dolphins zooming through the tight bait balls was seen all day. All this was hard to miss under the blue skies with bright sunshine. The area also produced close looks at 4 whales, with more spouts in the area.
Among the 4 whales we watched, 2 did some vertical lunge-feeding, and then some sideways (lateral) lunge-feeding. It was spectacular!
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com