2010 06-23 SB Channel

Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus) and Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) on a calm ocean. Tremendous!

A Common Dolphin leaps over the waves.
Delphinus leap 2010 Channel 001
Two Humpback Whales near the western end of Santa Cruz Island.
Megaptera novaeangliae two 2010 Sta Cruz Isl 010
A lunge feeding Humpback Whale takes a gulp of Krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) so the whalers on board the Condor Express can see the roof of its mouth, baleen, and ventral grooves.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 003
This lunge feeding Humpback Whale takes a gulp right in front of the whalers.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding passengers 2010 Channel 001
Two Humpback Whales.
Megaptera novaeangliae TWO 2010 Channel 005
Torpedo-like Common Dolphin.
Delphinus surfing head CLOSE 2010 Channel 004
At least 14 Risso's Dolphins pass close to the bow of the Condor Express.
Grampus griseus passengers 2010 Channel 003
The watchful eye of a Risso's Dolphin.
Grampus griseus 2010 Channel 011
A Risso's Dolphin spouting.
Grampus griseus spout 2010 Channel 005
A friendly Humpback Whale comes in to take a look at the whalers, and spouts.
Megaptera novaeangliae spout passengers 2010 Channel 002
A Giant Kelp bed near the Painted Cave, Santa Cruz Island.
Macrocystis pyrifera blue water Painted Cave 2010 Sta Cruz Isl 001
A leaping Common Dolphin gets caught by the camera leaving the water.
Delphinus 2010 Channel 002
Whalers enjoy a short break from the cetaceans with a visit to the famous Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island.
Painted Cave passengers 2010 Sta Cruz Island 002
A Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) takes flight with a small fish in its beak.
Cepphus columba flying fish 2010 Channel 004
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus 2010 Channel 116
This Humpback Whale makes a short forward lunge and shows the baleen inside its mouth.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 006
Here we see a Humpback Whale lunge feeding just below the surface and scaring away all the Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) that are feeding on the same prey as the whale: krill.
Megaptera novaeangliae Puffinus griseus 2010 Channel 002
This image shows the top of the head of a lunge feeding Humpback Whale. The two closed blowholes can be seen, and the water being ejected from the expanded oral cavity.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 001
Tail fluke waterfall - Humpback Whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke 2010 Channel 012
Close up view of a spouting Humpback Whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae spout CLOSE 2010 Channel 002
Two Humpback Whales, perhaps a mother and calf pair.
Megaptera novaeangliae two 2010 Channel 001
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) feeding on the carcass of an Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola).
Zalophus mola carcass 2010 Channel 002
A Common Dolphin leaps directly at the camera.
Delphinus head CLOSE 2010 Channel 006

© Robert Perry

Mr.Zalophus@gmail.com Please click on the sea lion head logo above to go to my MarineBioPhotography website.

2010 06-23 SB Channel