An extremely friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) pays a visit to the Condor Express crew and spouts.

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The signature trademark of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae): the majestic tail fluke waterfall.

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Guests enjoy a "Kodak moment" as a friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) comes close and takes a good look at the Condor Express in the Santa Barbara Channel.

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) heads for a deep dive and shows the ragged edge of its tail fluke.

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Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail fluke waterfall.

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Another spouting beast comes over to the Condor Express...a friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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This time the friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) decided to take a dive right under the boat to the delight of the passengers who caught a glimpse of its massive tail close up and personal.

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Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail fluke - extreme close up.

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Two friendly Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) pays a visit to the Condor Express and you can see the tail underwater on the closest whale.

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Another friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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Three affectionate California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) pups at ease in the water.

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Two California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) swim by the Condor Express on the whale grounds.

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Three California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) rafting on the surface.

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Two California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) rafting on the surface.

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California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) rafting on the surface....and one keeps an eye out for intruders.

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Two pals rafting on the surface: California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).

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A Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) glides along riding the waves.

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Two Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) are seen riding the waves under water.

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A leaping Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) .

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A Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) emits bubbles on its way to the surface for air.

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Two Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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The leading edge of a megapod of Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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The leading edge of a megapod of Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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The leading edge of a megapod of Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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The leading edge of a megapod of Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).

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A lone Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) accelerates across an ocean swell.

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Closer look at a Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) riding an an ocean swell.

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Curious California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) often pester Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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Here we see a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) tormenting a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)...sea lions are relentless in their pursuit of having fun.

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A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) gets out of the way of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) as it comes up and spouts on the surface.

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The hind flippers of a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) are seen as it barely escapes the "nose" of a knoby-headed Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) sends up some smoke.

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Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spout.

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The head and body of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) are seen underwater as it spouts.

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A close look at the twin exhaust pipes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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Another look into the nostrils of the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spouting.

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The entire outline of the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) body can be seen...including white pectoral fins and tail flukes seen below the green water.

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spouts in the wind on a fairly rough ocean surface.

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) busts through a big swell and spouts.

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The Australian warship HMAS Perth FFH 157 seen on patrol in the Santa Barbara Channel.

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The flat head of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

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Flanks and dorsal fine of a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

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ocean swells 2012 06-09 SB Channel-a-013

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One of several thousand Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) that visit the Santa Barbara Channel every year to feed and moult.

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A Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) "shears the water" with its flight.

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Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus).

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A Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) taking off.

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