Oh, baby! What a day on the Humpback grounds !! Whooooeee.

Report for Sunday, May 13, 2012

This was a reserved, contracted whale watch day for the cruise ship passengers visiting Santa Barbara, “America's Riviera!”

The bottom line:

12 Humpback Whales ( many dozens in the area)

Again we located the mother lode of Humpback Whales.  Captain Dave Beezer reports that the sightings this week are THE BEST he's seen in his life…and he's been a paid, professional mammal spotter (and rescuer) for decades.  If earlier sightings this week are not enough, today he reported anywhere from 20 to 30 whales in the immediate areas, but conservatively reports 12 closely observed.  Dave says that when the Condor Express pulled up near the whale grounds, 3 Humpbacks immediately made a track for the boat and did not leave it for the entire day.  They spyhopped to take a look at the passengers, rolled around right next to the boat, slapped their pectoral fins and did everything except hop on board and buy a ticket.  Meanwhile other whales put on a spectacular show with every conceivable behavior in their vast Humpback repertoire including the surface lunge feeding that we've had all week:  more pec-slaps, tail lobs, rolling and, of course, breaching.

Naturally I went out yesterday and had a great time (photos are posted online) but never thought it could get any better today…but it sure did.  I should've slept in the anchor locker.

WE HAVE RESUMED OUR NORMAL 10am TO 2:30pm WHALE WATCH SCHEDULE THIS WEEK.  C'MON OUT AND SEE THIS STUFF FOR YOURSELF WHILE IT LASTS.

Call 888-77WHALE or 805-882-0088 to book your trip.

Visit our website: https://www.CondorCruises.com ..or to view images from our previous trips: https://www.condorexpressphotos.com Like us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/condor.express

Follow us on Twitter, https://twitter.com/#!/CONDORExpressSB

In addition to the expert crew on the Condor Express with over 35 years of experience, Channel Islands Naturalist Corps volunteer naturalists, representatives from the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park, are usually on board and available to answer your questions during the trip.

Best fishes and have a WHALE of a day!

Bob Perry