Image: Two Pacific gray whales
Captain Devin and the crew report clear, blue skies with light and variable winds in the Channel. Sightings included 6 gray whales and 100 offshore bottlenose dolphins.
We were headed for the western end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island when, in the southbound Lane, a widely-dispersed pod of very active offshore bottlenose dolphins located the Condor Express. We watched as various dolphins performed all sorts of their famous acrobatics and high-flying aerials. Always breathtaking!
We continued into the Santa Cruz Channel and almost immediately located a single, adult gray whale. This was a shy whale with long, 8-minute dives. Nearby spouts turned out to be a group of 3 additional whales. The swam together at times, and also drifted apart now and again. All three had short, 3-minute dives and were regular fluker-uppers.
As we turned to head home, the crew pointed out two additonal spouts nearby, and we watched the pair as we left the area.
The islands were lush, green and beautiful in the bright sun. Today was our last island whale-watch for a while. Tomorrow we start our coastal whale and dolphin season which offers three, 2 1/2 hour trips per day.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and