2018 06-29 SB Channel
The Condor Express closely watched 10+ blue whales, 3 humpback whales and 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins. Skies had a thin stratus layer all day, and seas were calmer than yesterday. There were a few sucker holes (small openings where beams of sun shined through) out near Santa Cruz Island.
Captain Dave and his crew traversed the Santa Barbara Channel and the first mammal encounter was with a couple hundred dolphins that located the boat in The Lanes. The usual dolphin-human interactions took place and great looks got the trip off with a wonderful start.
Dave continued his track towards the West End of Santa Cruz Island and soon encountered the giant whale hot spot which had moved only slightly west overnight. Again, a 3-4 mile long line of blue whales was discovered and there could have been as many as 20 beasts feeding below the surface here. We only had time to closely watch half of the spouts we spotted. Among the blue whales today was the juvenile we call “Wave” and its mother. Per usual, Wave spent some nice time visiting the boat and everyone on board got very close looks at this young ambassador of the species.
On the way home a lot more dolphins found us, and 3 humpback whales were located near the middle of the Channel. A mother humpback and her calf made up 66.6% of the humpbacks we saw today. The dolphins and humpbacks were in a feeding hot spot dominated by sooty shearwaters and other hungry sea birds.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com