(Above: Southbound gray whales at Santa Cruz Island)
(Above: Southbound gray whales at Santa Cruz Island)
2022 12-27 SB Channel
Captain Devin, the crew and our brave passengers all read the rainy weather report and came prepared for a wet day. Seas were calm with a long period swell. Sightings included 3 gray whales, 100 long-beaked common dolphins and 30 Risso’s dolphins.
Near the northbound Lanes we stopped to watch a mega pod of feeding long-beaked common dolphins. It was spectacular to see especially with the calm seas and rain. Soon we moved over to the island.
Near Cavern Point (Santa Cruz Island) an exceptionally calm and friendly pod of Risso’s dolphins was located. Everyone had great looks at these large, pale, squid-eaters.
Devin took the Condor express east into the Anacapa Passage (between Santa Cruz and Anacapa Island). With the help of a sharp-eyed passenger, we followed 3 large, adult gray whales as they crossed the Passage and proceeded to Anacapa Island. Our first look, and our first gray whales of the season, was of one breaching adult. The trio also included a pair of frequent flukers.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com