2010 10-09 SB Channel

Another bright, glassy day on the Channel with a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae) less than a half mile outside the Harbor. Also, CIMWI and TMMC joined forces to release 4 rehabilitated pinnipeds (3 different species) back into the wild. Wow! For more information about marine animal rehabilitation, see CIMWI at http://www.cimwi.org/ or TMMC at http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/ .

A Guadalupe Fur Seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) gets ready to take a leap back into the wild.
CIMWI Arctocephalus townsendi Guadalupe fur seal rehab release 2010 Channel 005
A Guadalupe Fur Seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) gets ready to take a leap back into the wild.
CIMWI Arctocephalus townsendi Guadalupe fur seal rehab release 2010 Channel 008
A Guadalupe Fur Seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) takes a leap back into the wild.
CIMWI Arctocephalus townsendi Guadalupe fur seal rehab release 2010 Channel 009
A young Guadalupe Fur Seal (Arctocephalus townsendi).
CIMWI Arctocephalus townsendi Guadalupe fur seal rehab release 2010 Channel 019
A young Northern Fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus) peers out from its transportation kennel at the blue waters of Santa Cruz Island.
CIMWI Callorhinus ursinus Northern Fur Seal rehab release 2010 Channel 003
A young Northern Fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus) gets mentally prepared to take the plunge back home.
CIMWI Callorhinus ursinus Northern Fur Seal rehab release 2010 Channel 005
A young Northern Fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus).
CIMWI Callorhinus ursinus Northern Fur Seal rehab release 2010 Channel 007
A close cropped enlargement of the next photo, showing a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) peering at the ocean before leaping overboard and returning home.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 003crop
The full frame photo of the previous image, showing a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) peering at the ocean before leaping overboard and returning home.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 003full
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) is shown almost completely off the Condor Express, heading home.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 005
A close cropped enlargement of the next image, showing a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) hitting the water head first.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 006crop
The full frame image from whence the enlargement in the previous image came, showing a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) hitting the water head first.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 006full
Another California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus), a young male, takes a look at the camera man.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 014
A young male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) takes a look around on board the Condor Express.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 015
Ready, set, jump! A young male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) leaps back home to its natural environment.
CIMWI Zalophus californianus rehab release 2010 Channel 017
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) under the mirror glass surface.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 001
Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 005
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) leaves a sharp wake behind it as it takes off on a small open ocean wave.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 006
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) slicing through the glass.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 008
Whalers on board the Condor Express get a first hand look at a large pod of Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 055
A close cropped enlargement of a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis). The full frame of this image is the next photo.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 060crop
Full frame image of a Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis). The enlargement of this image is the previous photo.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 060full
Three Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 102
Four Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) create an abstract pattern as they glide under the blue waves.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 041
A close up enlargement of a leaping Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis). The full frame image is next.
Delphinus capensis leaping 2010 Channel 008crop
A leaping Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis). This is the full frame image used to make the close cropped enlargement inthe previous photo.
Delphinus capensis leaping 2010 Channel 008full
Two Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis TWO 2010 Channel 016
Streaking Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) create a glassy seam on the ocean surface.
Delphinus capensis crease wake 2010 Channel 001
Northern anchovies (Engraulis mordax) form a link in the food chain between zooplankton and Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Engraulis mordax school 2010 Channel 006
The left side of a mighty Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae 2010 Channel 189
A spouting Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2010 Channel 067
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) shows its tail flukes near Santa Barbara Harbor.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail Harbor 2010 Channel 061
Image 1 a 3 shot sequence: A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) kicks up its tail
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke seq 2010 Channel 200
Image 2 a 3 shot sequence: A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) kicks up its tail
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke seq 2010 Channel 201
Image 3 a 3 shot sequence: A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) kicks up its tail
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke seq 2010 Channel 203
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail fluke waterfall.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2010 Channel 029
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) patrols a glassy ocean.
Zalophus californianus head glassy surface 2010 Channel 119
Whalers on board the Condor Express get a close up look at the world's longest sea cave: The Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island.
Painted Cave passengers 2010 Sta Cruz Island 029
A curious California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus water 2010 Harbor 001
A very relaxed California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus water 2010 Harbor 003

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2010 10-09 SB Channel