2010 04-07 SB Channel

Humpback Whales everywhere today, and one particularly friendly one that "mugged" the boat. A gorgeous sunny, clear day with little to no wind in the Channel.

An extremely friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) comes so close to the camera that you can see its' entire body and the long, white pectoral fins glowing under the turquoise water.
Megaptera novaeangliae whole body spout CLOSE 2010 Channel 161
A friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spy hops to the delight of the whalers on board the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae spy hop passengers 2010 Channel 351
Tail fluke waterfall - a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2010 Channel 359
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) on the move.
Delphinus capensis leaping 2010 Channel 011
Some Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) and a rafting California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) very close to oil Platform Holly in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Delphinus capensis Platform Holly 2010 Channel 006
A group of young, elementary school whalers have a close encounter with some Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis elementary kids 2010 Channel 073
A bubbling Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) - right side.
Delphinus capensis CLOSE glassy 2010 Channel 025
A bubbling Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) - left side.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 002
The last glimpse of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) heading for the deep.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke 2010 Channel 430
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) spouting.
Delphinus capensis spout glassy 2010 Channel 016
Another tail fluke waterfall from a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2010 Channel 031
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) swims deep in the turquoise ocean water.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 042
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) on its nose.
Megaptera novaeangliae Macrocystis 2010 Channel 363
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) draped across its back. Humpbacks seem to be attracted to, and frequently interact with, this macroalgae.
Megaptera novaeangliae Macrocystis 2010 Channel 351
Closer look at a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) draped across its back.
Megaptera novaeangliae Macrocystis 2010 Channel 353
An extremely friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spy hops next to the whalers on board the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2010 Channel 197
Long white pectoral fins glow under the water as this Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) come in to visit the whalers on board the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2010 Channel 257
Another very friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers CLOSE 2010 Channel 193
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) comes up from the deep.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2010 Channel 063
Looking directly down on the spout of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae head pects spout 2010 Channel 150
Side view of a spouting Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2010 Channel 007
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) begins to race through the water as it gets ready to throw its tail. Image 1 of 2.
Megaptera novaeangliae rushing 2010 Channel 018
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throws its tail. Image 2 of 2.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw CLOSE 2010 Channel 020
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) approaches the surface with its long, white pectoral fins outstretched.
Megaptera novaeangliae head pects 2010 Channel 147
A "getting to know you" event between whalers on board the Condor Express and a curious Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae spy hop passengers 2010 Channel 161
A sequence of photographs showing a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throwing its tail. Image 1 of 4.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw CLOSE 2010 Channel 311
A sequence of photographs showing a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throwing its tail. Image 2 of 4.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw CLOSE 2010 Channel 312
A sequence of photographs showing a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throwing its tail. Image 3 of 4.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw CLOSE 2010 Channel 313
A sequence of photographs showing a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throwing its tail. Image 4 of 4.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw CLOSE 2010 Channel 314
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) swims out from under the Condor Express, completely upside down, to the delight of the whalers on board.
Megaptera novaeangliae upside passengers 2010 Channel 167
Close up look at a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae 2010 Channel 102
The left side of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and its long white pectoral fin.
Megaptera novaeangliae left side 2010 Channel 041
The complete body of a full grown Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in turquoise water.
Megaptera novaeangliae whole body right lateral 2010 Channel 115
Two California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) discuss property rights.
Zalophus californianus near buoy 2010 Channel 324

© Robert Perry

Mr.Zalophus@gmail.com Please click on the image above to go to my MarineBioPhotography website.

2010 04-07 SB Channel