Image: an ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is shown hunting drifting gelatinous purple sailors (Velella velella).
2023 05-18 SB Channel
The ocean surface was mirror glass and skies were gray. Captain Dave and the crew took a southwesterly course that went into The Lanes, circled around the NOAA East Channel Buoy, and then came home. Sightings were spectacular: 6 humpback whales, 1 Minke whale, 25 Risso’s dolphins, 3 offshore bottlenose dolphins, 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola), and carpets of floating purple sailor jellies (Velella velella).
Four miles southwest of the harbor we watched a pair of adult humpbacks that appeared to be feeding subsurface. While we watched, a single curious Minke whale made a couple of close passes by the Condor Express. A huge ocean sunfish (Mola mola) was seen feeding on purple sailor jellies (Velella velella).
Approximately 25 Risso’s dolphins, in two groups of a dozen that were in close proximity, were watched. Three offshore bottlenose dolphins were around the Risso’s. We moved into The Lanes and watched a single humpback.
As we turned to head home, we watched two single humpbacks. The second one threw its tail with gusto a few times. About 2 miles from the harbor we slowly drove by our last humpback without time to stop.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com
Comments