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Grays, humpbacks, offshores, commons, sea lions and a birdnado

Writer's picture:  Bob Perry Bob Perry

Image: A humpback whale swimming around upside down.

 

2024 02-23 SB Channel

 

A lot of warm sun filtered through the patchy, thin, high clouds across the Channel today. Seas were absolutely mill pond flat glass calm. Two trips happened: 9a and 12n. Total sightings: 25 offshore bottlenose dolphins, 3 gray whales, 25 California sea lions, 1000 long-beaked common dolphins, and 11 humpback whales. But wait, there’s more!

 

A highly acrobatic and aerial pod of offshore bottlenose dolphins came within 3 miles of the Santa Barbara coast and we enjoyed their company enormously. Not far from theses “offshores,” we caught up with 3 northbound adult gray whales. The “grays” were very regular in their breathing cycles and maintained a steady 4 knots. Great looks were had by all. A small mob of 25 California sea lions was also seen.

 

When we were 7 miles southwest of Goleta, we spent quality time with 6 humpback whales. Two of them came to the boat and had a “spa session” in our jet wash.

 

We were 7 miles south of the harbor on the noon excursion when we found a trio of humpback whales. Two of them were very active and mugged the Condor Express for a long time. They also demonstrated their upside-down swimming alongside the boat (see today’s photo for an example). All three drifted from side to side, passing directly under the boat…a bonus human exercise program!

 

On the way home we slowly passed another pair of humpbacks, and soon watched two separate 500-strong pods of “commons.” The second pod was in a feeding hotspot complete with a wonderful birdnado.

 

You never know what Mother Nature has in store,

Bob Perry,

Condor Express and 

 

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301 W. Cabrillo Blvd

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

 

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