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!

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

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Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) head and spout.

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

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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).

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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Dorsal fin of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

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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.

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

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

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Tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

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

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

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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.

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

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

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Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol boat at work.

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

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

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

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