2020 09-03 SB Channel East
Whalefest continues unabated!
Captain Colton, aka “Boat Colton,” reported calm and sunny conditions in the Channel today. The crew headed straight to the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island and the “land of the giants.” Sightings included 10+ giant blue whales and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins.
The trip across featured common dolphins and their numbers increased with our distance offshore. Likewise, on the trip home, the pattern was confirmed. Colton stopped and played with these wonderful creatures several times.
The land of the giants was full of beasts. Additional congregations of giant blue whales were reliably reported east of us, close to Anacapa Island, and also to the west near Santa Rosa Island. Our patch included close looks at 9 giants. Another single blue popped up our trip home. At least 2 of the whales were regular tail flukers. All had long surface times today.
After the whales, Colton did a brief tour of the sea cliffs along the northern face of Santa Cruz Island and ran inside wonderful Potato Harbor before heading back home.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com