2012 06-27 SB Channel

Magnificent sunny weather and great sea conditions for viewing Blue Whales, a Humpback or two, dolphins and Mola mola!

Two of about fifteen juvenile Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) observed near the surface in the Santa Barbara Channel.
mola MANY juv 2012 Channel 030
Guests on the bow of the Condor Express get a very close look at the signature tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae tail passengers 2012 Channel 008
A giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) spouts.
Balaenoptera musculus 2012 Channel 298
Juvenile Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola).
mola MANY juv 2012 Channel 017
Juvenile Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola).
mola MANY juv 2012 Channel 024
A giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) with the steep sea cliffs of Santa Cruz Island in the back.
Balaenoptera musculus Sta Cruz Island 2012 Channel 152
A giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) with the west end of Santa Cruz Island in the back.
Balaenoptera musculus Sta Cruz Island 2012 Channel 001
A giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) with Santa Cruz Island in the back.
Balaenoptera musculus Sta Cruz Island 2012 Channel 008
The tall spount of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2012 Channel 030
The sleak head of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2012 Channel 051
A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2012 Channel 039
The flanks and tiny dorsal fine of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2012 Channel 077
A spouting Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) lifts its head slightly. Also, the light colored right pectoral fin can be seen under the water.
Balaenoptera musculus 2012 Channel 052
A friendly Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae 2012 Channel 032
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae 2012 Channel 019
A long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) pays a visit to whale watcher on board the Condor Express.
Delphinus passengers 2012 Channel 016
Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2012 Channel 011
A juvenile long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) stays close to its mother.
Delphinus capensis c2012 Channel 054
A juvenile long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis calf 2012 Channel 058
When two ocean currents come together a glassy "slick" is formed on the surface. Oceanographers call this an oceanic front.
oceanic slick line 2012 Channel 002
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) lifts its pectoral flipper as it swims.
Zalophus californianus 2012 Channel 029
A floating mass of "Sea Grapes" (Sargassum sp.).
Sargassum floating wrack 2012 Channel 016
California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) are seen hauled out on the rocks at Santa Cruz Island.
Zalophus californianus rocks 2012 Sta Cruz Island 009
The shell of a red rock crab (Romaleon antennarius) floats in the water. Crabs must shed their external skeletons in order to grow.
Romaleon antennarius DEC floating 2012 Harbor 009
The shell of a red rock crab (Romaleon antennarius) floats in the water. Crabs must shed their external skeletons in order to grow.
Romaleon antennarius DEC floating 2012 Harbor 012

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2012 06-27 SB Channel