Image: full body view of an “active” humpback whale
2023 07-06 SB Channel
Most of the action was out near the NOAA East Channel Buoy again today. There was a high marine layer in the morning and it broke into mostly sunny skies later. Seas were calm. Sightings included: 8 humpback whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins.
The first (small) pod of dolphins located the Condor Express just 2 miles southwest of the Santa Barbara Light. A while later, on a course heading for The Buoy, a large pod came around and we had additional great looks.
Larger dolphin pods were found closer to The Buoy, and our first whale was sighted upon arrival. It was a small juvenile and was “on the move!” Perhaps it was searching for prey. Nearby two additional single humpbacks were watched…both adults.
A mother humpback and her calf made several close and friendly approaches to the delight of all whale fans on board. The calf did a bit of rolling around on the surface. Three more whales were also in the area and one of them was a very large adult.
On the way home a juvenile humpback breached!
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com
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