2009 07-20 SB Channel

At first it was one Humpback, then two, then two Blue Whales, then a dozen or more of each species ! Not much krill on the surface today, but the whales were as abundant as they have ever been over the past month or so.

Whalers with Common Dolphins (Delphinus sp) a-plenty.
delphinus passengers 2009 channel
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus sp) mating. The male is the upside down animal.
delphinus mating seq 2009 channel
A very curious young California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) swings past the Condor Express and takes a look.
zalophus californianus one water 2009 channel
Close up look at a Blue Whale's (Balaenoptera musculus) head and spout.
balaenoptera musculus head spout 2009 channel
The head of a mighty Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is seen here just below the surface.
balaenoptera musculus half 2009 channel
A rare image showing a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) AND a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) in the same frame. The Blue Whale is a the top right.
balaenoptera musculus megaptera novaengliae 2009 channel
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) head and spout, looking from the back towards the head.
balaenoptera musculus head spout 2009 channel
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail flukes - a relatively rare sight.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke seq 2009 channel
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail flukes - a relatively rare sight.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke seq 2009 channel
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail flukes - a relatively rare sight.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke seq 2009 channel
Whalers aboard the Condor Express get a close visit by a Common Dolphin (Delphinus sp).
delphinus passengers 2009 channel
Two giant Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) swimming together, side-by-side.
balaenoptera musculus two 2009 channel
Two Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus), one up, one down.
balaenoptera musculus two 2009 channel
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail flukes - a relatively rare sight.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke waterfall 2009 channel
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail flukes - a relatively rare sight.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2009 channel
Friendly Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) rides alongside the Condor Express.
delphinus one 2009 channel
Image 1 of 2: A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) kelping.
megaptera novaengliae kelping 2009 channel
Image 2 of 2: A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) kelping.
megaptera novaengliae kelping 2009 channel
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) arching in preparation for a deep dive.
megaptera novaengliae tail fluke seq 2009 channel 089
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail fluke waterfall. This whale had a habit of showing its tail off to one side rather than straight up and down.
megaptera novaengliae tail fluke seq 2009 channel 091
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) sideways tail flukes.
megaptera novaengliae tail fluke seq 2009 channel 092
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus sp) fooling around.
delphinus fooling around 2009 channel
Seven Common Dolphins (Delphinus sp) ride a wave.
ddlphinus seven wave 2009 channel
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus sp) ride a wave.
delphinus 2009 channel
Spray from a Common Dolphin's (Delphinus sp) spout.
delphinus spout 2009 channel
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus sp) rides up and over a wave.
delphinus 2009 channel
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus sp).
delphinus leap 2009 channel
Sometimes Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) like to wave their tails around before they slam them into the water.
megaptera novaengliae tail fluke seq 2009 channel 094
Four on an open ocean wave - Common Dolphins (Delphinus sp).
delphinus 2009 channel

© Robert Perry

Mr.Zalophus@gmail.com Please click on the sea lion head logo above to go to my MarineBioPhotography website.

2009 07-20 SB Channel