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Dolphin masses continue along with a humpback, 2 Minke whales and some high speed sea lions.

2022 07-02 SB Coast

We closely watched 2+ Minke whales, 1 humpback whale, 75 California sea lions and 6000 long-beaked common dolphins. The abundant egg yolk jellies continued today and the water was very clear again. Skies were clear and sunny. There was a light chop and breeze to start the day along the coast, but 5 or 6 miles out things got nautical. Therefore, Captain Dave and the crew ran the coastal strip from Gaviota to Carpinteria and found excellent marine mammals to observe.

Similar to yesterday, the dolphin pods varied in size from less than 100 to some that were many hundred strong. They were scattered along a line parallel to the shore from approximately Santa Barbara Harbor to the east and Goleta Bay to the west.

Soon after starting to move west and check out each of the dolphin pods, we had great looks at 2 Minke whales and a quick sighting of a 3rd whale’s dorsal fin. The first of the Minkes stayed with the Condor Express and passed by the boat a few times.

Around 5 miles south of Goleta Bay, among the actively feeding dolphin pods, we found a single, very large, adult humpback whale also foraging on anchovies. After a while the beast did an unexpected massive tail throw before continuing its feeding.

Around the time we watched the humpback whale, one pod of dolphins took off on a high-speed stampede. Right behind them we had the good fortune to see about 75 California sea lions following the dolphins with extremely fast porpoising.

Closer to the harbor, the trip ended after Captain Dave passed close to the Carpinteria oil platform line and gave a short discussion about them.

You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and www.CondorExpressPhotos.com

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