2014 04-05 SB Channel
There was great weather in the Santa Barbara Channel today and Captain Dave ran two excursions. Great sightings were had on both trips and here are the totals for the day: five gray whales, three humpback whales, and more than 500 long-beaked common dolphins.
9 AM. After leaving Santa Barbara Harbor the condor express lube west along the coast. The first gray whale of the day was located right off the old lighthouse. We follow this animal further west to around Goleta Bay. Here an additional two gray whales were found and followed up to Isla Vista. Following these great gray whale sightings gave turn things off shore where there was some bird activity. This turned out to be a large spread out group of dolphins and they came to the boat and guided us all the way back to the harbor. Birds and dolphins together formed quite a sight.
12 noon. Leaving the harbor Captain Dave drove directly south and allowed the same herd of dolphins we watched earlier to find the boat and play in our wake. This time however all those dolphins and birds feeding on submerged schools of anchovies attracted the attention of three large humpback whales. These whales were all about feeding but they did take a little time for some frolicking, rolling, and pectoral fin slapping. It was a great show for sure. Soon the show got even better, as two gray whales came through the area on their way up the coast. On the way home not far from the harbor a third gray whale was watched closely.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express