2012 06-30 SB Channel ACS

2012 06-30 Location Map

2012LocationMap

This same Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with deformed baleen was seen last Fall feeding on northern anchovies (Engraulis mordax). See http://www.condorexpressphotos.com/Other/2011-10-30-SB-Channel. In this photograph, you can see the little red krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) stuck in the baleen and also leaping out of the water as the lower jaw engulfs them. By the way, we now have empirical evidence that this individual eats both anchovies and krill.

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The ventral groove blubber of a lunge feeding Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is seen expanded with krill-laden sea water.

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Twin smoke stacks on a windy day. Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) spouting with Cavern Point, Santa Cruz Island in the back.

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Image 1 of 2 in a sequence: A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfaces and spouts right next to the Condor Express. The large pectoral fins can just barely be seen under the water. The cetacean lovers on the rail got a very close look.

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Image 2 of 2 in a sequence: A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfaces and spouts right next to the Condor Express. The large pectoral fins can just barely be seen under the water.

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A long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) leaps over the waves.

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Two long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) jumping over the waves.

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A long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) streaks down the face of a small wave like a torpedo.

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Left flanks - a long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).

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Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pay a visit to the Condor Express.

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A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) rides a wave.

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A high-flying long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis).

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The spout spray from a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is carried away by the fresh breeze.

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A tall spout from a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is seen in the distance with Santa Cruz Island in the back.

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The strong wind pays tricks with the tall spout of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and makes it curve into an almost "S" shape.

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Boom. A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) spouts straight and tall on a choppy ocean surface.

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A very close look at the twin blow holes of a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

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A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) spouts in the wind.

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A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail fluke !

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A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail fluke !

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A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail fluke !

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A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail fluke !

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A Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) tail fluke !

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Twin tail flukes - Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) .

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) flukes up with the West End of Santa Cruz Island in the background.

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Tail fluke waterfall - Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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Full frame image of a tail fluke waterfall - Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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A close up view of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail fluke.

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The right flanks of this Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) are seen as it arches its back and prepared to fluke up for a deep dive.

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Tail flukes of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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A patch of Krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) shines red against the blue-green water.

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) passes close by the Condor Express.

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A friendly approach by a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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A nearby spouting Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spouts with Santa Cruz Island in the background.

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A close look at a spouting Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

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A matter of scale. A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is dwarfed by its own spout spray carried by the strong winds, and by the sea cliffs of Santa Cruz Island in the background.

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This Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) looks almost like a spouting alligator from this angle.

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The spout and the tubercles on the rostrum of this Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) are clearly seen.

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A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throws its tail in the distance.

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A tiny juvenile Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), about the size of a small dinner plate, skims the surface.

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Platform Henry 2012 06-30 SB Channel ACS Trip-a-008

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Platform Habitat 2012 06-30 SB Channel ACS Trip-a-016

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