2013 06-25 SB Channel

A blue whale mother and very young calf stole the show away from all the humpbacks and dolphins today. Here's the scoop: veteran whaleman Captain Mat steered the boat out to the southwest and found several high activity centers, one after the other...no more than a mile or two separating them. Each hot spot featured the usual predators. Seabirds, common dolphins and humpback whales. All these animals were engaged in sub-surface feeding and paid very little attention to the boat. It was overcast, but some thin patches actually felt warm. There were at least 16 humpbacks watched closely today, and others in the distance. Once again, the number of common dolphins, which were everywhere in the morning, was hard to count scientifically, let's go with 3,000+. After draining the southwest region of marine life, Captain Mat changed course to the east, to an area of activity that the Condor Express reported yesterday...a few more humpbacks and dolphins. Not long after this last humpback sighting, we got a call on the VHF radio about possible blue whales far to the east. With precious little time remaining, Captain Mat made the bold decision, and we throttled up. After about 15 minutes on our easterly course, a pair of giant blue whales was located. Actually, the mother was "giant, and her very young calf (perhaps 20-ft length at the max) was not a "giant," yet. We stayed with this happy mother and calf couple for about an hour. Despite sun in the eastern Channel yesterday, today the east was low overcast with a slight drizzle. This did not dampen the spirits of all on board who were surprised and thrilled by the blue whales starting to appear in the Channel at long last.

At least nine long beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) swim through jade colored water.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 055
A common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) emits a bubble stream as it rises to the surface to take a breath.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 045
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) socializing.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 073
Lots of common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) seen underwater.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 075
A single common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) - underwater.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 097
A single common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) - underwater.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 098
A single common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) - underwater.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 099
A young common dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 105
A common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) surfs a small open ocean wave.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 008
A shiny common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) leaps towards the camera.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 012
This common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) is captured as it begins a leap, just bursting through the surface.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 033
More leaping common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 024
A high flying leaping common dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 079
More leaping common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 057
More leaping common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 045
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis cow calf 2013 Channel 072
A panorama of leaping common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis PANORAMA 2013 Channel 054
Three leaping common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis THREE 2013 Channel 028
Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) being pointed out by a keen observer.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 011
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Megaptera novaeangliae Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 029
A tall spout from a white winged humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). A common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) rides alongside.
Megaptera novaeangliae Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 076
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) heads directly at the camera.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 013
The giant tail flukes of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 015
The giant tail flukes of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) slowly sink beneath the waves.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 020
The giant tail flukes of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 059
The giant tail flukes of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) create a nice waterfall.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 085
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) side by side.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 003
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) spout together.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 008
The tail flukes of one humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the dorsal fin of another are seen in this image.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 015
The giant tail flukes of this humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) have multiple color patches.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 042
Dual dorsal fins are seen from two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) close together.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel 025
A spouting blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 367
The dorsal fin and flanks of a juvenile blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 024
A large blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) dives beneath the waves.
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 009
Mother and calf blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) together. The calf is in the back.
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 030
Mother and calf blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 032
Balaenoptera musculus cow & calf 2013 06-25 SB Channel-037
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 037
A profile of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 039
The trailing edge of a diving blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 076
The posterior third of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) as it begins to dive.
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2013 Channel 072
Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) seek refuge in the calm, turquoise waters of Santa Barbara Harbor.
Pelecanus occidentalis water near Sandspit 2013 Harbor 003
Crew members climb high up the rigging of the sailing ship Tole Mour in search of blue whales.
vessel sail Tole Mour crew high rigging 2013 Channel 007
Sterns Wharf in Santa Barbara is seen with a fog bank moving up the mountain slopes in the background.
Sterns Wharf fog hills 2013 Harbor 009

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2013 06-25 SB Channel

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