Surface lunge feeding.

2019 07-30 SB Channel

Captain Colton and the crew of the Condor Express traversed the Santa Barbara Channel and ended up in the eastern regions. Skies were overcast, there was little to no wind, but there was a residual bump from stronger winds to the northwest. Sightings included: 4 humpback whales and 750 long-beaked common dolphins.

Dolphins were scattered across the Channel and were feeding on spots of northern anchovies. When we got to the northern Lanes, and north of the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island (see ships tracks image), whales joined the dolphins in the bait fish banquet. We watched 3 large adults and one smaller juvenile. At one point two of the larger whales simultaneously broke the surface during a lunge-feeding episode and provided awesome views to everyone.

You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com