2017 05-20 SB Channel
It was a sunny and gorgeous day for wildlife in the Santa Barbara Channel. Totals for the day included 600 long-beaked common dolphins, 8 Dall’s porpoise, and 2 humpback whales.
Things got started about a mile south of Santa Barbara Harbor when a large group of dolphins located the Condor Express. The group was spread out over a wide area and accompanied by seabirds on the water and in the air. After some quality time with these dolphins, Captain Dave kept on track for Santa Cruz Island and some nearby hot spots.
Not long after the dolphins found the boat, we spotted Dall’s porpoise blasting across the surface at high speeds as they always do. Today we had the great fortune of having these small, black and white torpedoes actually ride our bow for a short while, this giving fabulous looks to all.
North of Santa Cruz Island a single humpback whale was located and watched. It was slowly on course to the west. We left this beast and Dave ran along the base of the sea cliffs and put the boat in the mouth of the world-famous Painted Cave. Following the cave experience a second westward bound humpback whale came across our path and we had nice sightings of this animal as well.
On the way home a smaller group of dolphins found us around mid-Channel.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express