2022 08-21 SB Channel
An unusual schedule today, 8am – 1230pm, resulted in more time in the fog. Seas were flat and glassy calm. Sightings included 1000 long-beaked common dolphins and 1 humpback whale. A floating, deflated Mylar balloon was picked-up.
Dolphin groups were small and only a few were condensed into pods. A few were actively feeding and had attracted sea birds. Our first dolphins were seen at 820am, with more at 905am. Later, as we watched the whale, one group took off for a short high-speed stampede.
From 1045am to 1115am we watched the RV Sally Ride slowly move east through the Channel and right past the whale deckhand Kelly spotted. Sally Ride is a US Navy vessel operated by Scripps Institute of Oceanography. I have not checked all my images yet, but I’m hoping for some dolphins riding Sally’s bow.
Finally, at 1115am, the ship was out of range and we started our whale observations. We were west of the NOAA East Channel Buoy. The whale was business-like and kept on a southeasterly course heading with long up times and short dives. Great tail flukes were shown on each dive. At one point, completely at random, the beast did a few large tail-throws before continuing on its travels.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com