2022 08-01 SB Channel
A low stratus, not fog, covered the northern Channel. Once we reached The Lanes, the rest of the day was sunny and warm. Sightings included 2 giant blue whales and 3500 long-beaked common dolphins. On the way out, the crew picked- up one, and on the way home, a cluster of floating, deflated, Mylar balloons.
Common dolphins were very abundant all day, starting just 1 mile outbound from Santa Barbara Harbor.
South of The Lanes and north of Carrington Point, Santa Rosa Island, we began a lengthy sighting with 2 giant blue whales. They were moving east, ending up near The Cave on Santa Cruz Island before we had to turn for home. There were plenty of tail flukes and lengthy dive times which might indicate searching for sub-surface krill shoals.
Captain Dave provided a nice narrated tour of the majestic sea cliff, caverns and grottos along the north face of Santa Cruz, ending with a nice peek inside the outermost chamber of the world’s longest sea cave, the Painted Cave.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com