2009 08-06 SB Channel

The westerly winds had things a bit whipped-up out there today, but the Condor Express managed to get some brilliant looks at a bunch of Blue Whales, including a cow-calf pair, and a couple of Humpback Whales, including one very feisty humpie with an active tail.

Bodysurfin' buddies: A Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) and a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
grampus griseus delphinus capensis surfing 2009 channel 089
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw.
megaptera novaengliae tail throw 2009 channel 315
Mother and calf Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) side by side.
balaenoptera musculus cow calf dorsal fins 2009 channel 251
A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) spouts on a wind blown ocean with Santa Rosa Island in the background.
balaenoptera musculus spout sri 2009 channel 110
Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) taking a peek at the Condor Express whalers. The beak of a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) can be seen coming into the frame at the lower right.
grampus griseus head eye 2009 channel 037
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) prepares to slam its mighty tail down on the water.
megaptera novaengliae tail throw 2009 channel 298
Little spout, big spout: Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) cow-calf pair.
balaenoptera musculus cow calf spout wind 2009 channel 235
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) on a blue ocean with lots of wind.
balaenoptera musculus spout 2009 channel 132
Lucky whalers on the Condor Express see Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) surfing an open ocean wave.
grampus griseus passengers 2009 channel 023
Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus) appear like ghosts under the blue-green water.
grampus griseus surfing 2009 channel 114
One of several shots taken of this mother Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and her calf.
balaenoptera musculus cow calf spout 2009 channel 189
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) runs amok...throwing its tail around wildly.
megaptera novaengliae tail throw 2009 channel 270
Another Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) under water.
grampus griseus 2009 channel 066
Three Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus).
grampus griseus three 2009 channel 013
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throwing its tail on a very breezy day.
megaptera novaengliae tail throw wide angle 2009 channel 263
Two Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus), one up and one underwater, with breezy conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel. The mainland Santa Ynez Mountains are visible in the back.
balaenoptera musculus two mainland 2009 channel 191
More Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throwing.
megaptera novaengliae tail throw 2009 channel 295
A Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) under water.
grampus griseus 2009 channel 098
Hence the name...Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) arches for a deeper dive.
megaptera novaengliae side dorsal hump 2009 channel 326
Two Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus).
grampus griseus two 2009 channel 014
The powerful tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
megaptera novaengliae tail fluke 2009 channel 282
Thick white body and beef dorsal fin of a Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus).
grampus griseus 2009 channel 011
Sideways Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throwing.
megaptera novaengliae tail throw 2009 channel 285
Those who were on board know what this is. Hint: it involves the relationship between Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and krill (Thysanoessa spinifera).
balaenoptera musculus feces 2009 channel 121
A close look at the head, splashguard and spout of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus head spout 2009 channel 117
More looks a the little spout and big spout of the cow-calf pair of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus cow calf spouts 2009 channel 075
Tail fluke of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae).
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2009 channel 261
A lone Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) spouts and pokes its beak out of the water as it surfs an open ocean wave surrounded by much larger Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus). 1 of 2 images.
grampus griseus delphinus capensis surfing 2009 channel 044
A lone Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) can be seen underwater in the middle of much larger Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus) as they surf an open ocean wave together. 2 of 2 images.
grampus griseus delphinus capensis surfing 2009 channel 043
A Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) and a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) surf a small open ocean wave together.
grampus griseus delphinus capensis 2009 channel 103
Three Common Murres (Uria aalge) sitting on the ocean surface.
uria aalge water 2009 channel 026
A very happy Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis), if one believes dolphins can show happiness.
delphinus capensis 2009 channel 097
A giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) ploughs ahead into rough seas.
balaenoptera musculus windy spout 2009 channel 222
A large male Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throws its tail to impress the whalers on board the Condor Express.
megaptera novaengliae tail lob 2009 channel 093

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2009 08-06 SB Channel

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