2018 07-08 SB Channel
The Santa Barbara Channel was sunny with practically no wind on both sides all day. Total sightings included 4 blue whales, 1 humpback whale, 30 Risso’s dolphins and 200 long-beaked common dolphins. That made four different species of cetaceans watched today.
As Captain Tasha and her crew laid down a course for the western end of Santa Cruz Island, they did not get far offshore when nearly 100 common dolphins located the Condor Express. Tasha slowed the boat and spent some quality time with these wonderful and curious mammals.
Further west and south of The Lanes a spread out pod of a few dozen Risso’s dolphins were seen. We saw a similar number of these large white dolphins yesterday, so there must be some kind of squid around in the water column as that is their preferred prey type. Soon after the Risso’s several tall spouts were seen and led Tasha to a group of 4 giant blue whales. The whales had long surface times (for easy viewing) and a couple of nice tail flukes were seen as well.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com