A gray day with a stratus layer met the Condor Express, but sea conditions were phenomenal. Captain Eric and his crew headed southwest like yesterday, and had a solid day of sightings. Three humpback whales, 2,600 long-beaked common dolphins, several dozen California sea lions and one large ocean sunfish were closely watched.
The dolphins were mostly in groups of 100 – 200 and started messing around with the boat out on the 50-fathom line. Of course this was loads of fun for humans and dolphins alike. Eric then went through areas he had success in yesterday, but had to keep a wide berth due to research being done by preeminent scientist John Calambokidis using the Truth Aquatics boat Conception. We heard there was a fin whale, perhaps more, but we did not invade the study zone.
Further south a mega-pod of dolphins that stretched almost a mile was observed and actually led us to the humpback whales. The whales came very close alongside the Condor on a couple of occasions, and one did a robust tail slap close enough to wake up everyone on board…if they were not already paying attention. Naturally, California sea lions were mixed in with the whales and dolphins as the entire assemblage slowly drifted to the east.
One large ocean sunfish or Mola mola was seen in a drift kelp paddy on the way home.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express