Image: humpback tail throw
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2024 04-08 SB ChannelÂ
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Seas were bumpy, choppy and it was windy for the 9am trip. The wind increased a little for the afternoon excursion. Total sightings for the day included: 3 gray whales, 10 humpback whales, 200 long-beaked common dolphins and 150 California sea lions.
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A visiting cruise ship was anchored just outside the harbor and the morning trip got started as we watched a single gray whale adult head west near the ship. A short distance from the ship we found a sub adult gray whale. Â The morning trip ended with a grand finale of at least 8 humpback whales. The spouts and tails were great to see, but the whales had a tendency to move quite a bit while submerged.
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At noon we initially found and watched 2 eastbound adult humpback whales just a mile off Leadbetter. Their route took them past East Beach and inside the oil rigs where there were 3 large birdnados with dolphins. The 2 whales soon caught up with the hot area and began to get active. There was a bit of lob-tailing, tail throwing (see today’s image for an example), and even some kelping.
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About 1 mile north of the birdnados and humpback pair we found a single humpback. It, too, got active with tail throws and lobs.  Several large groups of sea lions were around at this time.
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You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
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Bob Perry
Condor Express, and