2018 04-09 SB Coast
Seven gray whales, six inshore bottlenose dolphins and 150 long-beaked common dolphins were closely watched today. Captain Dave and his crew ran two excursions under clear, sunny skies, calm seas and air temperatures in the low 80⁰F’s.
On the 9am trip thirty common dolphins located the Condor Express about one mile south of the lighthouse. Like the larger group we’d see later, these dolphins were actively feeding and chasing northern anchovies upside down all over the zone. A bit closer to shore we followed behind a mother whale and her young calf from the lighthouse west to More Mesa. Turning offshore for some exploration, Dave quickly allowed one hundred or more common dolphins to approach the boat as they, too, were actively hunting.
The noon expedition was reserved for cruise ship passengers who came off the big ship and went whale watching on the smaller ship. About one mile south of Hendry’s a pair of relatively shy whales was followed west to Hope Ranch. Next, a single whale was followed. The last whale sighting of the day consisted of another gray whale cow-calf pair. As we were closer to shore, the Condor Express and the whales attracted the attention of a half-dozen bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins and the whales interacted quite a while and was quite an interesting sight.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com