2015 05-04 SB Coast
Deck hand Augie made an easy day of it for himself and Captain Eric on the Condor Express today. Eric had not even finished his morning safety briefing when Augie pointed out a mother gray whale and her calf just off the end of Stearn’s Wharf and heading, of all things, eastbound. This eastbound pair of #whales circled a few times around the East Beach anchorage including a nice close approach to the Wharf. The East Beach anchorage doesn’t really have any surf, but if it did, that’s where you’d go to see this eastbound pair. Great looks at these gray whales were had by all including some moored boat owners that came out on their decks to find out what the Condor Express was doing in their neighborhood.
While whale watching, about 8 coastal bottlenose dolphins were observed as they first came over to look at the boat, then went to the whales, and finally meandered west. After about 75 minutes of anchorage whale watching, Eric took us outside to search for other species. Soon he located at least 150 long-beaked common #dolphins. These little cetaceans were found in small pods as the whole herd was widely spread out across the now choppy area. During our dolphin watch we came up on about 8 small, dinner plate sized, ocean sunfish (Mola mola) on the surface, but they quickly dove deep.
We never did find out if the gray whale pair eventually turned around and headed the right direction for Alaskan waters.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
I’ll get these photos up asap. www.CondorExpressPhotos.com