2022 09-13 SB Channel
SCARLET IS BACK AGAIN.
It was a gorgeous, sunny day with light and variable winds. Sightings included two species: 2 humpback whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins. You know who was the “lead” whale.
From the harbor to an area east of the NOAA East Channel Buoy we watched very small groups of dolphins ranging in size from one to a dozen each. While watching one group east of The Buoy, we saw a single, then a second whale throwing its tail in the distance. Upon arrival, the two whales immediately came to the Condor Express. It was, as you already know, Scarlet and her friend, again. By the way, I did a little digging and recalled our first sighting of Scarlet on July 18, 2013. (She had already been observed in The Channel by Cascadia Research Collective in 2010).
Scarlet and her friend mugged the boat for 2 hours. Similar to yesterday’s mugging, the whales rolled around, swam upside down, did head stands, a bit of kelping, played in our jets and also did a few double spy hops. On one special occasion, Scarlet swam slowly along our hull from bow to stern, on her side, with her eye wide open and looking at each of her fan club members that lined the railings of the boat to cheer. Today also featured a trumpet vocalization on almost every breath.
On the way home we watched two larger pods of dolphins, one with about 700 and another 300, members.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store,
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
