Image: an upside-down lob-tailing humpback whale
2024 09-06 SB Channel
Skies were sunny, clear, and the sea surface was a little bit bumpy. Winds were light going out, and a bit heavier on the way back. Sightings: 4000 common dolphins and five humpback whales.
As you can tell by the totals above, there were plenty of dolphins around all day. Things got started with small pods right off of Ledbetter. As we move west towards Platform Holly, we found larger pods which, for the most part, were spread out. Several of them came to the boat and played with our bow, side, and stern waves.
Five miles southwest of Holly we found 2 humpback whales. Both were adults engaged in some sub-surface feeding. There were lots of dolphins joining them at this hotspot. Anchovies were visible from the surface. About a mile west, we found a single whale then another pair. The last whale to be watched was located because it was actively lob-tailing. The crew reports that it lob-tailed at least 15 times. (See today’s photograph for an example).
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
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