Dolphins + whale = clear the mind!

2020 07-14 SB Channel

Ah, the fresh air. It is always so nice to push away from the mainland, get into the salty environment and leave all your worries behind. There was a stratus layer but it did not impede lateral visibility. Seas had a little swell which became more noticeable near the island where the breeze was stronger. Closely watched species included 600 long-beaked common dolphins and 1 Minke whale.

As we passed through the Summerland oil platform line, on a southeasterly course heading, a single Minke whale was located near Platform Hillhouse. It surfaced six times, and each time seemed to bring it closer to the Condor Express. Great looks were had by all.

We watched two distinct pods of dolphins, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning pod was larger and included some nice jumping and one or two high-flyers. In the afternoon, the smaller group was a nursery pod. Little dolphins ranged in size from about 2 feet long to older animals almost half the size of their mother.

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