Image: Size comparison: humpback tail flukes v whale fan
2023 07-13 SB Channel
As we saw yesterday, we had dense fog for the first 1 ½ hours, then blue skies and sun. Seas started a bit bumpy but laid down as we moved offshore and the day progressed. Sightings were good: 5 humpback whales, 50 California sea lions and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins.
The dolphins were everywhere, starting just 2 miles off the harbor, but pod sizes were small (except for one that had about 500 animals). Some birds were around the dolphins here and there, but there were no large hot spot “birdnados” today.
4 miles south of Hope Ranch a single big adult whale was watched. It had long surface times and made three very friendly passes by the Condor Express (see today’s photo for an example). A short distance later we saw another humpback in the area. 6 miles off Goleta we watched 2 more adults along with that 500-strong pod mentioned above. This whale duo kicked up their tails high on every dive.
Interesting fact: the whales today all had more or less white tails.
Our last whale sighting was 2 miles further offshore.
Sea lions were around in small numbers everywhere there was feeding going on.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com
Coastal fog lifted to reveal an abundance of cetaceans, a special treat. Condor Express always seems to attract close approaches, probably a familiarity factor for the Humpbacks in the channel.