2009 09-12 SB Channel

An overcast and grey day but lots of Common Dolphins, Risso's Dolphins, three Blue Whales and did I mention the giant Mola mola?

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) takes a look over its shoulder at the camera.
zalophus californianus face 2009 channel 008
Whalers get a close look at a big Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola).
mola passengers 2009 channel 022
A head-on look at a Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) as it spouts.
grampus griseus 2009 channel 011
Tail walking Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis). The dolphins were acting up today.
delphinus tail walking 2009 channel 007
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) - whole body. (See next image for close up).
mola 2009 channel 012
Abstract image of an Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) close up, looking at the head. (See previous image for whole body).
mola 2009 channel
Posterized image of a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) running alongside the Condor Express.
delphinus capensis 2009 channel 006
Tail walking Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
delphinus tail walking 2009 channel 002
Head, mouth and lips of a spouting Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus head spout 2009 channel 013
Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
delphinus posterized 2009 channel 066
Whalers on board the Condor Express get a close up look at Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
delphinus passengers 2009 channel 080
Side flanks and dorsal fin of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus dorsal fin 2009 channel 018
Two Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus) side by side.
grampus griseus 2009 channel 005
Spouting Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) shows the rest of its giant turquoise blue body under water.
balaenoptera musculus spout 2009 channel 022
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) with a "necklace" wound...a ring of torn skin and muscle around its neck from the nylon monofiliment line that it became entangled in. As this young lion grows, the monofiliment digs deeper into the body.
zalophus californianus neclace wounds 2009 channel 001
Bow wave and rising head of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus head bow wake 2009 channel 033
A sideways leaping Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
delphinus leap 2009 channel 072
A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) arches its back and prepares for a deeper dive.
balaenoptera musculus dorsal fin 2009 channel 007
Two Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus), one pushes out a crystal wave with its hydrodynamic head.
grampus griseus 2009 channel 008
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) - whole body. (See next image for close up).
mola 2009 channel 023
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) close up look at head. (See previous image for whole body).
mola 2009 channel
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) leaps over a wave headed directly towards the camera lens.
delphinus 2009 channel 012
Kodak moment. Whalers snap some shots of a frisky Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) close up.
delphinus passengers 2009 channel 038
Another wild and crazy Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) leap.
delphinus leap 2009 channel 030
Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) roost on a floating kelp paddy (Macrocystis pyrifera) in the Santa Barbara Channel.
larus occidentalis macrocystis pyrifera paddy 2009 channel 010
One going down, and one coming up with its smiling face visible beneath the waves...Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus).
grampus griseus 2009 channel 012
Kayaks visit the California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) resting on the harbor entrance buoy, Santa Barbara Harbor.
kayaks buoy zalophus 2009 harbor 008
A young California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) relaxes on the surface with a small piece of kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera).
zalophus californianus 2009 channel 006
Two Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus).
balaenoptera musculus two 2009 channel 005

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2009 09-12 SB Channel