Warm, sunny skies and glassy seas brought forth at least 15 whales and 3000 dolphins.
- Bob Perry
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Image: our old friend Scarlet was back today and made several close passes like this one.
2026 07–12 SB Channel
A bright sun and blue sky magnified the crystal clear, smooth and glassy seas. Captain Eddy took the helm and headed back to the same hotspot that has been burning in the shipping lanes, slightly SW of the Harbor. Total sightings: 15 humpback whales, 3000 common dolphins, 1 Minke whale, and 200 California sea lions.
The hot spot area was about 2 miles x 2 miles in size. Most of the action was contained within. The whales were widely distributed and mostly individuals, not pairs or groups.
The Condor Express used a time-tested strategy: spend a little time with each whale, and make your way around the area by going whale-to-whale-to-whale. At one point, a solitary Minke whale was observed working around the edges of the hotspot.
Several small birdnados popped up. As usual these were the places where the dolphins, birds, sea lions and whales converged.
Among the humpback whales that we could identify visually, without photo identification, we observed our old friend Scarlet. We watched her for quite a while during which she made a wonderful close pass by the Condor Express. (See the photograph above for an example).
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
