2010 04-04 SB Coast

Gray whales, Humpback whales and lots of Common Dolphins swimming under the natural oil seepage. These are the photos from the 9am and 12noon trips. The ocean was especially flat and calm on the 12noon trip. A great day to be on the ocean!

Whalers on the Condor Express get a first hand look at a natural oil and gas seep in the Santa Barbara Channel.
bubbles natural gas oil seepage 2010 Coast 004
Two women observe a metalic rainbow sheen on the ocean.
GIRLS natural gas oil seepage 2010 Coast 001
Three Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis), one down and two up.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Coast 017
Three Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) a various stages of rotation underwater.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Coast 050
A close look at a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) blowing bubbles as it rises to the glassy surface.
Delphinus capensis bubbling oily glass 2010 Coast 025CLOSE
Whalers get a friendly visit by a pod of Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis passengers 2010 Coast 001
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) underwater, including one that is swimming sideways.
Delphinus capensis sideways 2010 Coast 013
Lots of bubbling Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis glassy oily sharp 2010 Coast 046
Three Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) mostly underwater.
Delphinus capensis abstract 2010 Coast 021
Three Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis), including one sideways.
Delphinus capensis abstract 2010 Coast 036
One upwardly mobile Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) on a jade ocean.
Delphinus capensis bubble abstract 2010 Coast 006
Delphinus capensis UW looking up 2010 04-04 SB Coast - 010
Delphinus capensis looking 2010 Coast 010
Delphinus capensis on abstract oily glass 2010 04-04 SB Coast - 003
Delphinus capensis abstract oily glass 2010 Coast 003
Delphinus capensis on oily surface 2010 04-04 SB Coast - 004
Delphinus capensis oily surface 2010 Coast 004
Delphinus capensis UW abstract 2010 04-04 SB Coast - 022
Delphinus capensis abstract 2010 Coast 022
More underwater, oily glass Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) horseplay.
Dolphins space Delphinus capensis 2010 Coast 038
Under the oily surface, a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) looks up at the camera.
Dolphin space Delphinus capensis 2010 Coast 033
Spring has sprung along the Elwood coast.
Elwood Coast 2010 002
A spouting Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
Eschrichtius robustus spout 2010 Coast 011
A Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) near the shoreline west of downtown Santa Barbara.
Eschrichtius robustus 2010 Coast 002
Two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) spout with Platform Holly in the background. This is the full frame panorama view, the next image is a close cropped version of the same.
Megaptera novaeangliae Platform Holly WIDE 2010 Coast 002
Two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) spout with Platform Holly in the background. This is a close cropped version , the next image is the full frame panorama view of the same.
Megaptera novaeangliae Platform Holly CLOSE CROP 2010 Coast 002
A curious Western Gull (Larus occidentalis).
Larus flight CLOSE 2010 Coast 274
Twin peaks on a mirror glass ocean - Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae dorsal fins glassy 2010 Coast 053
Side by side Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The whale closest to the camera with water coming out of her mouth is "Rope." See 2010 04-02 for the short story of this whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae side 2010 Coast 088
Two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with the Santa Barbara coast in close proximity.
Megaptera novaeangliae dorsals Coast 2010 069
A spouting Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) on a glassy ocean surface.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2010 Coast 035
Two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) side by side, one spouting.
Megaptera novaeangliae spouts CLOSE lateral head 2010 Coast 084
Twin Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spouts.
Megaptera novaeangliae spouts CLOSE lateral head 2010 Coast 048
Twin Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae side glassy 2010 Coast 050
Megaptera novaeangliae 2 spouts 2010 04-04 SB Coast - 056
Megaptera novaeangliae spouts 2010 Coast 056
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail fluke waterfall.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2010 Coast 021
A young California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus juv water 2010 Coast 002
Hubble telescope image of a nebula, or a severe storm system in the night sky?
It's actually mousse, a frothy mixture of oil and asphalt tar on the ocean surface at natural oil seep in the Santa Barbara Channel.
natural oil seepage tar surface 2010 Coast 003

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2010 04-04 SB Coast