2018 06-09 SB Channel
Today Captain Dave and his crew closely watched 2 giant blue whales and 700 long-beaked common dolphins. It was a sunny day, but things got a bit blustery as we moved offshore, proving the old adage: don’t be fooled by how nice and calm the seas are in and around the harbor. It’s on days like today that we are all thankful for an experienced, yet cautious, captain and crew.
The dolphins were stretched-out in a line approximately ½ mile long and about 8 miles off the shore. They were heading west, into the teeth of the oncoming wind and seas. It is one of the most amazing spectacles the Santa Barbara Channel has to offer, seeing these highly adapted creatures moving in synchrony under and over the waves.
After the dolphin encounter, Dave put the wind and waves astern and headed towards The Lanes, and adjacent to the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island. This has been the giant whale hot spot all week. Despite the wind and waves, Dave and his crew located 2 blue whales. The two had alternating breathing or surface times, so when one was down the other was up. The net effect being there was almost always a whale on the surface to watch. Some close and friendly approaches by the whales capped off a spectacular day at sea.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com