2019-09-05 SB Channel Southeast
It was sunny and nice. There was a bit of wind to the far west so Captain Dave and his crew ran east. Besides, that’s where the whales were! Totals for today include: 2 Minke whales, 5 humpback whales and 800 long-beaked common dolphins.
Four large humpback whales were watched in an area southeast of Platform Habitat, on the outer edge of an area we call The Flats. We followed these whales at a respectful distance as they dove to (our best guess) feed on sub-surface anchovy schools. Dolphins were in the area as well, but numbers were not quite as humongous as yesterday.
After spending a lot of quality time with the humpback whales, Captain Dave moved further south near two other offshore platforms: Gilda and Grace. There were dolphins in this area and a single Minke whale was also on patrol here.
The weather in the eastern channel was so nice that Dave diverted his course heading back to the harbor to include more time along the eastern Santa Barbara and western Ventura County coastlines. It was great to see these areas since we’ve not been down here in quite some time. A second Minke whale was spotted.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com