Image: A mother gray whale with her calf near the beach, Santa Barbara
2024 05-04 SB Coast
Captain Dave and the crew found slightly overcast skies, no wind, and a light bump on the surface from storms to the northwest. Two trips ran today, 9a and 12n. Total sightings for the day included: 2 gray whales, 3 humpback whales, 2500 long-beaked common dolphins and, in the harbor and on buoys, about 100 California sea lions.
The morning trip got a jump start as we found and followed a pair of gray whales. It was a mother with her calf-of-the-season. (See today’s photo for an example). After some very nice looks, we moved about a mile offshore to watch a pod of dolphins. Then, south of the Kelp Farm, a whale popped up and we finished the trip with a great humpback sighting. As a side note, we know this whale, in fact the Condor Express named it “Dos Equis” in 2020.
Noon started with a small pod of dolphins and quality looks. The pod was spread out and, as we watched, a humpback surfaced, and then another. Both were large, adult whales. One made a very close, friendly approach to the starboard side of the boat. Yet another, tighter, pod of dolphins came through the area. The second whale did a massive, sideways tail throw.
The crew picked up one deflated, floating, Mylar balloon.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and