2013 01-02 SB Channel

A crystal clear, sunny winter day with tons of gray whales heading south in the Sta Cruz Channel. A bunch of Risso's dolphins and some fantastic sea lion antics. Be sure to click "Map This" to see where we explored.

A Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) makes a friendly approach to the Condor Express as it exhales a trail of bubbles.
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 217
A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) leaps through the blue water as part of a giant herd of sea lions traveling through the Santa Cruz Channel.
Zalophus californianus leaping 2013 Channel 030
A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) leaps through the blue water as part of a giant herd of sea lions traveling through the Santa Cruz Channel.
Zalophus californianus leaping 2013 Channel 027
A mob of relaxin' California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) cluster together for security and to socialize.
Zalophus californianus mob water 2013 Channel 035
A mob of relaxin' California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) cluster together for security and to socialize.
Zalophus californianus mob water 2013 Channel 058
A Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) sends up a tall spout with beautiful Santa Rosa Island in the background.
Eschrichtius robustus Sta Rosa Isl 2013 Channel 002
A Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) sends up a tall spout with beautiful Santa Rosa Island in the background.
Eschrichtius robustus Sta Rosa Isl 2013 Channel 009
A close look at a Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) spouting.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Channel 041
A close look at a Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) spouting.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Channel 009
A Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) with twin exhaust pipes.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Channel 036
A Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) sends up a tall spout with Santa Cruz Island in the background.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Channel 027
A Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) sends up a tall spout with Santa Cruz Island in the background.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Channel 004
A Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) sends up a tall spout with Santa Cruz Island in the background.
Eschrichtius robustus 2013 Channel 066
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus Macrocystis 2013 Channel 013
The tail of a Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
Eschrichtius robustus tail 2013 Channel 023
A Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) with a piece of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) around its dorsal fin.
Grampus griseus Macrocystis 2013 Channel 027
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) spouting.
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 067
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 070
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 077
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 081
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 087
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 115
Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus 2013 Channel 126
A gull (Larus sp) is seen perched atop a dead mammal.
Larus feeding dead mammal 2013 Channel 108
Two Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) slap their tails simultaneously.
Grampus griseus tail slap 2013 Channel 009
A drifting kelp paddy made up of giant kelp and bull kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera and Nereocystis lutkeana) floats on a glassy ocean surface.
Macrocystis Nereocystis drifting paddy 2013 Channel 002
Two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) leap through the blue water as part of a giant herd of sea lions traveling through the Santa Cruz Channel.
Zalophus californianus herd swim leaping 2013 Channel 019
A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) leaps through the blue water as part of a giant herd of sea lions traveling through the Santa Cruz Channel.
Zalophus californianus herd swim leaping 2013 Channel 022
A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), with a "necklace" entanglement scar around its neck, leaps through the blue water as part of a giant herd of sea lions traveling through the Santa Cruz Channel.
Zalophus californianus neclace scar leaping 2013 Channel 062
Looking west we see the tip of Carrington Point, Santa Rosa Island, and in the far distance, San Miguel Island.
Carrington Point San Miguel Island 2013 Channel 025

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2013 01-02 SB Channel