2009 07-06 SB Channel

The embrace. Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) mating at full speed.

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Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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The oil spill clean up vessel "Clean Ocean" with Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) leaping over the waves.

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Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pay a visit to the whalers on board the Condor Express.

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More friendly Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) come by the boat to see what is up.

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A might Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) does a "tail throw" to excite the whalers on the Condor Express.

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Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) near the Condor Express and whalers.

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One leaping Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).

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Junior takes a leap next to mom: a cow-calf pair of Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) emit bubbles on their way up to the surface.

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Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) along the rocky shores of Santa Cruz Island.

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One zooming Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).

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Whalers on the bow of the Condor Express get a very very close look at a friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

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Head and spout of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

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Enormous body of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) seen just beneath the ocean surface.

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The wide body of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) with water streaming off its back.

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) spouts while almost completely submerged.

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Portrait: head shot of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) showing its knobby tubercles, lips and spout.

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Two large Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) heading into rough seas.

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Tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).

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Two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) side by side. The upper animal is still just under the water.

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A second mighty tail throw from this adult Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae)...just a few feet from the Condor Express.

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Three California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) resting on the rocky shore of Santa Cruz Island. The animal to the right is moulting its fur.

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Twice as much fun - two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) make a very close approach to see the whalers on board the Condor Express.

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Two friendly Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) near the whalers.

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Two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) heading out into rough seas.

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