Dramatic waves and wind featured 22 whales and 3500 dolphins in their natural environment
- Bob Perry
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
Image: a birdnado with a humpback whale
2026 07–06 SB Channel
It was a very bright and sunny day. The light chop on the ocean near the coast was transformed into more challenging conditions by the strong breeze offshore. Captain Eddy and the crew found plenty of random, spread out hotspots N of the lanes. Total sightings for the day: 22 humpback whales, 3500 common dolphins, and 100 California sea lions.
Observations got started 2 miles S of the Harbor when a small pod of common dolphins got friendly with the Condor Express and spent a lot of time riding our side waves. The water was very clear and blue which greatly enhanced our sightings.
The situation was much like yesterday except it was windier and bumpier. Essentially there were no big masses of bait, but plenty of small fish aggregations which were widely distributed throughout the region. These fish also may have been deep. Consequently we spent a lot of time watching humpback whales and dolphins traveling. Great to see, especially on the rough ocean swells with the wind blowing their spout spray asunder. Then, completely at random, a whale would rise up with a vertical lunge. Sometimes a small, temporary birdnado would form. Birds and dolphins would feed, and we assume the humpbacks were below the surface doing the same. Again, infrequently, there would be a sideways lunge. A handful of California sea lions were at each of these spots enjoying the banquet.
Many of the dolphin pods were nursery pods and the calves ranged in size from very small…“Football size” to a fewbthat were about half the size of mom. There were also several dolphin stampedes - dramatic with the swells and wind. Frequently the dolphins were heading to a hotspot and the dolphins followed them. Whales were last on the scene, following the dolphins.
In addition to lunge feeding, we also saw 1 or 2 breaches and some tail throws in the distance, and a few chin slaps.
You never know another nature has in store.
Bob Perry
