2009 07-02 SB Channel

Passengers on the Condor Express had a wild day. We just left a couple of nice Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) only to find extremely friendly Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae). Here a Humpback passes very close to the bow and passengers get a great up close look. Fantastic!

megapteranovaengliaeunderbowcondorexpresspassengers2009channel

A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) with a chopped-off dorsal fin.

balaenopteramusculuschoppeddorsalfin2009channel

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) head and spout.

balaenopteramusculus2009channel

A Longbeak Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) leaps with joy.

delphinuscapensisleap2009channel

An in-bound Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) returning from a deep sea fishing excursion. This family of seabirds (Alcidae) are known for their ability to dive below the surface, swim with thier wings and hunt prey (small fish).

cepphuscolumbaflight2009channel

A side view of the low above the waterline profile of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

balaenopteramusculussidespout2009channel

Three frisky Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) bound over the waves.

delphinusthreeleaping2009channel

A mature Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) sends a cloud of rather pungent spray towards the whalers on the bow of the Condor Express.

megapteranovaengliaeboatpassengers2009channel

A look down the top of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) and into the twin blowholes.

megapteranovaengliae2009channel

Very close look at the splashguard and blowholes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

megapteranovaengliaeblowholes2009channel

White pectoral fins glow under the water as this mature Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) dives directly in front of the whalers aboard the Condor Express.

megapteranovaengliaeboatpassengers2009channel

Dorsal fin of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

megapteranovaengliaedorsalfin2009channel

Here a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) is still submerged below the surface of the ocean as it begins to spout. Again the long white pectoral fins glow under the water.

megapteranovaengliaespout2009channel

An extremely friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) waves at the whalers on the bow of the Condor Express.

megapteranovaengliaepectoralnearboat2009channel

Knobby head and spout of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

megapteranovaengliaeheadspout2009channel

Tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

megapteranovaengliaetail2009channel

A mature Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) comes very close to the boat and sends up a big spout of water.

megapteranovaengliaespoutvery2009channel

Two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) crossing the bow, one is still underwater an you can see its white pectoral fins glow.

megapteranovaengliaetwoboatpassengers2009channel

A cow-calf (mother & child) Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) pair. Mom is on the surface and junior is visible to her right side under the surface.

megapteranovaengliaetwoboatpassengers2009channel

Very very close approach by a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae). The entire head and spout is clearly visible in the blue water.

megapteranovaengliaespout2009channel

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) tail sends this individual into the deep.

megapteranovaengliaetailvery2009channel

Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol boat at work.

vesselharborpatrolfirenozzel2009

A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) smiles for the whalers on the Condor Express.

zalophuscalifornianuswater2009channel

A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) heads for the cool, clear waters of Santa Cruz Island.

zalophuscalifornianusonerocks2009channel

Whalers aboard the Condor Express get a visit by a friendly pod of Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

delphinuscapensispassengers2009