2009 08-13 SB Channel

Blues, Humpbacks, Rissos and Commons....all on a day with a marine layer and glassy ocean surface.

A friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) heads for the Condor Express and spouts.
megaptera novaeangliae head looking 2009 channel 022
Whalers on board the Condor Express get a very close look at this friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) as it passes by underwater.
megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2009 channel 032
Portrait of a young Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) pusing a bow wave ahead of itself.
grampus griseus head eye mouth 2009 channel 114
Baptism by Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2009 channel 039
The tail fluke waterfall of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke waterfall 2009 channel 132
The friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) takes another pass by the whalers on board the Condor Express.
megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2009 channel friendly Humpback Whale Condor Express
A curious California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) pays a visit to the Condor Express.
zalophus californianus water 2009 channel 005
Twin Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on a very calm sea surface.
megaptera novaeangliae two 22009 channel 046
Two Humpbacks (Megaptera novaeangliae) side by side.
megaptera novaeangliae two 2009 channel 067
A mighty Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaches out in front of the Condor Express.
megaptera novaeangliae breach 2009 channel 055
A young Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) puts down its landing gears and prepares for impact.
pelecanus occidentalis landing water 2009 channel 007
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) kicks up its tail and heads for a deep dive.
megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke 2009 channel 029
The tail fluke waterfall from a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2009 channel 028
A friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) shows its hump and dorsal fin to the whalers on board the Condor Express.
megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2009 channel 044
Left lateral profile of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
megaptera novaeangliae dorsal fin arch 2009 channel 038
Left lateral profile of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus dorsal fin left flanks 2009 channel 130
The wide body of this Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is seen here mostly underwater except for the twin blowholes and their protective splashguard.
balaenoptera musculus spout glassy 2009 channel 142
A very close look at the spout and splashguard of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) as it starts to send up a plume of spray.
balaenoptera musculus spout 2009 channel 157
Seven young California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) rest on a rocky islet above the waves on Santa Cruz Island. If you look closely, you can just barely make out the red beak of a Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) on the upper right edge of the frame.
zalophus rocks wave runoff waterfall 2009 sta cruz island 197
Lips dripping with seawater, this giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) finishes off a mouthful of water and krill taken in a frontal lunge-feeding move.
balaenoptera musculus water exit mouth 2009 channel 084
Tail flukes of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2009 channel 133
Tail flukes of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke waterfall 2009 channel 115
Tail flukes of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2009 channel 118
Iconic dorsal fin of a Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus).
grampus griseus dorsal fin 2009 channel 240
Three times as much fun! Three Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus) together on the surface.
grampus griseus three 2009 channel 279
Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) with its eye looking at you.
grampus griseus 2009 channel 077
Leaping Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus)...a fairly rare occurence.
grampus griseus breach 2009 channel 120
Two Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus), and one has its eye above water.
grampus griseus two 2009 channel 266
Twin dorsal fins of Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus).
grampus griseus two 2009 channel 267
Another Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) has its eye on the Condor Express.
grampus griseus two 2009 channel 256
A leaping Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus).
grampus griseus leap 2009 channel 118

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2009 08-13 SB Channel