2020 03-09 SB Coast
We never traveled more than 3 miles off the shore today largely because the sharp eyes (“whale eyes”) of our crew Colton and Devin. These two were able to put together a single epic 2 ½ hour trip that closely watched: 13 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 1 Minke whale, 1 humpback whale, 4 Pacific gray whales and 500 long-beaked common dolphins. Tremendous!
All of the gray whales were northbound, as is appropriate for this time of year. The first 3 were near the harbor and we followed to Leadbetter. A fourth was attracted to a Minke whale/white-sided dolphin interaction and joined the fun (read below).
One of the most unusual sightings consisted of a single Minke whale (mentioned above) that appeared to be racing and porpoising while chasing a small pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins. Very crazy! Then, along came a northbound adult gray whale and it interacted with the other 2 species by rolling around and such. Even crazier!
A bit further offshore we saw more common dolphins and the same white-tailed humpback juvenile I reported earlier this week. The humpback was doing some sideways surface lunge-feeding, and as we watched this NatGeo kind of moment, the little whale breached very close to the Condor Express.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com
Comments