More giant blue whales today.

2020 07-20 SB Channel West

Although the trip experienced glassy surface waters at the start, further offshore, and in the afternoon, a moderate breeze filled-in. Despite the winds from the west, Captain Colton and his crew closely watched: 5+ giant blue whales and 500 long-beaked common dolphins. The action was closer to the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island today.

There’ve been numerous small but dense schools of northern anchovies in the nearshore kelp beds. We encountered a small group of dolphins hunting there on the way out, and many more as we came back to the harbor.

As we crossed to the south side of The Lanes a single giant blue whale was spotted and closely watched. It had short dive times and substantial surface intervals…plus, it fluked-up for us a few times.

Pushing further southwest, and into on-coming seas, we quickly located a tight group of 4 more giants. As we saw yesterday, the beasts dove to feed for short periods, then surfaced and took several breaths while swimming in a semi-circle.

Skies were sunny and the ocean was blue…perfect for blue whales…and dolphins.

You never know what Mother Nature has in store.

Bob Perry

Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com