2009 07-21 SB Channel

To quote the title of a famous jazz piece by Miles, today it was "All Blues." At least a dozen Blue Whales were in the area, and at one point we had 3 very close to the boat, one on the left and two, together, on the right.

A very young Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) takes a leap next to its mother's side.
delphinus cow calf 2009 channel
The sleak and hydrodynamic snout of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) slides just beneath the ocean surface.
balaenoptera musculus head clear 2009 channel 023
Side view of the lips, splashguard and blowhole of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus head 2009 channel 024
Left lateral aspect of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) showing the characteristic tiny dorsal fin.
balaenoptera musculus lateral dorsal fin 2009 channel 021
Tail fluke - symbol of the giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2009 channel 019
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail fluke waterfall.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke waterfall 2009 channel
A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) heads into the breeze.
balaenoptera musculus spout 2009 channel
Right lateral and dorsal fin - Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus lateral dorsal fin 2009 channel 030
Two giants spouting on a blue ocean - Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus two spouting 2009 channel 105
Another Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail fluke waterfall.
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke waterfall 2009 channel 016
A leaping Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
delphinus capensis sunny leap 2009 channel 016
A cluster of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) all on the rocky ledges of Santa Cruz Island, except the one leaping into the ocean.
zalophus californianus bunch rocky ledge 2009 sta cruz island 201
Another look at a very very young Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) and mother.
delphinus capensis cow calf leap 2009 channel 172
Yet another Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) cow-calf pair.
delphinus capensis cow calf 2009 channel 165
Whalers on board the Condor Express enjoy the marauding band of Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
delphinus capensis passengers 2009 channel 022
A closer look at the Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) calf, leaping alongside mom.
delphinus capensis cow calf 2009 channel 167
Basking in the morning sun - California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) rest on the Santa Barbara Harbor entrance buoy.
zalophus californianus buoy 2009 harbor 009

© Robert Perry

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

2009 07-21 SB Channel