2010 06-26 SB Coast & Channel

3 trips today = 2 morning oil seep tours @ Platform Holly, then an afternoon of watching Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) and other fun species.

A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) leaps across the glassy ocean surface.
Delphinus capensis leaping 2010 Channel 001
The smiling face of Mr. Gas Burnoff Torch - Oil Platform Holly.
Platform Holly gas burn flame 2010 Channel 001
Whalers on the bow of the Condor Express get a rich treat: a herd of Pacific White-sided Dolphins (Lagenorhyncus obliquidens) _AND_ two Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) spouting nearby.
Megaptera novaeangliae Lagenorhyncus obliquidens passengers 2010 Channel 009
Two spouting Humpback Whales.
Megaptera novaeangliae TWO spouting 2010 Channel 011
A very friendly approach by a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2010 Channel 001
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) kicks up its tail as another spouts directly behind it.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes 2010 Channel 003
Profile of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spouting in rich, green water.
Megaptera novaeangliae whole body spouting 2010 Channel 010
A friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) heads directly for the camera lens.
Megaptera novaeangliae head spout 2010 Channel 001
Another Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) makes a close approach.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2010 Channel 002
The head of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) as seen underwater.
Megaptera novaeangliae head 2010 Channel 002
Classic tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). The patterns of dark and light, as well as the notches and bites out of the margin, help researchers at the Cascadia Institute in Washington State identify individual Humpback Whales.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes 2010 Channel 001
Two more Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in green water.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2010 Channel 017
A Pacific White-sided Dolphin (Lagenorhyncus obliquidens) cuts through the water.
Lagenorhyncus obliquidens 2010 Channel 001
A delicate Egg Yolk Jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica) drifts along in the current.
Phacellophora camtschatica fried egg jellyfish 2010 Channel 033
Another specimen of Egg Yolk Jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica) rides an oily oceanic front.
Phacellophora camtschatica fried egg jellyfish 2010 Channel 041
Another Egg Yolk Jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica) in the natural oil seepage of the Santa Barbara Channel.
Phacellophora camtschatica fried egg jellyfish 2010 Channel 023
Egg Yolk Jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica).
Phacellophora camtschatica fried egg jellyfish 2010 Channel 027 rev2
Egg Yolk Jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica)
Phacellophora camtschatica fried egg jellyfish 2010 Channel 038
A school of Pacific Sardines (Sardinops sagax caeruleus).
Sardinops sagax caeruleus school 2010 Channel 015
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) hunts a school of Sardines (Sardinops sagax caeruleus).
Delphinus capensis Sardinops sagax 2010 Channel 003
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) chases Sardines (Sardinops sagax caeruleus) upside down.
Delphinus capensis upside feeding 2010 Channel 005
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) chases Sardines (Sardinops sagax caeruleus) upside down.
Delphinus capensis upside feeding 2010 Channel 002
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) spouting.
Delphinus capensis spouting 2010 Channel 007
One of the dozens of natural oil and gas seeps in the Santa Barbara Channel sends up methane bubbles along with oil droplets.
oil seep gas bubbles passengers 2010 Channel 002
Abstract ocean surface - Santa Barbara Channel.
abstract natural oil seep surface 2010 Channel 014
Passengers view the oily surface patterns.
abstract natural oil seep surface passengers 2010 Channel 002
Abstract ocean surface - Santa Barbara Channel.
abstract natural oil seep surface 2010 Channel 015
Like a metalic ghost rising from the sea - abstract oil patterns.
abstract natural oil seep surface passengers 2010 Channel 004
Candleholder Dudleya “Liveforever” (Dudleya candelabrum) is in the Stonecrop family. This plant grows only on Santa Cruz, San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands. [identification source: http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/endemics.htm]
Dudlia starlight plant Painted Cave walls 2010 Sta Cruz Island 002
A young bull California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) enjoys a swim on a calm, sunny day.
Zalophus californianus young bull Platform Holly 2010 Channel 020
A female California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) asleep on a support bar under Oil Platform Holly. Did it leap up there on a high tide, or climb the ladder?
Zalophus californianus Platform Holly 2010 Channel 014
More California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) on Platform Holly.
Zalophus californianus Platform Holly 2010 Channel 004
Two feisty California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) on a mooring can near Platform Holly.
Zalophus californianus mooring can mouths open 2010 Channel 061
Two California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) swim under a natural oil slick near Platform Holly.
Zalophus californianus swim oil Platform Holly 2010 Channel 050
Three Pacific Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina richardsonii) and a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) rest on a rocky ledge at Santa Cruz Island.
Phoca vitulina rock ledge 2010 Sta Cruz Isl 008

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2010 06-26 SB Coast & Channel