2013 06-29 SB Channel
2 Minke whales
14 Humpback whales
12 Risso's dolphins (see notes below)
2,500+ Common dolphins
100 California sea lions
Our first observations of common dolphin masses with sea birds diving and making a fuss was just north of the shipping lanes. As we saw previously this week, the dolphin-bird assemblage seems to attract the humpback whales. Frequently the whales lag behind the dolphin herd by a quarter mile or so, but when the smaller cetaceans stop charging ahead, the big boys rapidly catch up and join the feast. Northern anchovy schools are still to be found all around the Channel and are the primary focus for all the hungry predators. Our old pal "Rope" was there today. Several of these oceanic hot spots were observed as we slowly worked our way across the shipping lanes and onward to the northwestern face of Santa Cruz Island. We did not locate that large herd of Risso's dolphins that were around the area yesterday, but instead we came up on about 12 Risso's and they were mostly mother and calf pairs. Some of the calves were very small and very young. It was a very special sighting and something I've never seen before in my decades of research and work on the Channel. You can see for yourself in the photographs below.
A nice visit to the island and Painted Cave was enjoyed by all and then on our way back to the harbor, we found one more small but active hot spot that had 2 more humpback whales joining the seabirds and dolphins and sea lions.
This weather pattern has brought very high temperatures on land, but it is truly fantastic out there on the open sea.
Be sure to click on the "Map This" button to see where we went.
One of three photos of a giant humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with bright white pectoral wings that came by the Condor Express so close you could count the barnacles on its chin.
The second of three photos of a giant humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with bright white pectoral wings that came by the Condor Express so close you could count the barnacles on its chin.
The third of three photos of a giant humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with bright white pectoral wings that came by the Condor Express so close you could count the barnacles on its chin.
Three humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are seen here, and one is closing its mouth and collapsing its ventral grooves to expel water during the final stages of a surface lunge feeding.
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) spout simultaneously, including "white pects."
Surface lunge feeding humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Surface lunge feeding humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
One of two shots of a very elusive Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).
The second of two shots of a very elusive Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was found rolling around on the surface with its long pectoral fin in the air.
Two humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) are seen here. One is competing a vertical lung and spouting, the other has its pectoral fin in the air.
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with a notch in its dorsal fin.
Three humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
A tail fluke waterfall from a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) side by side.
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spouts, a massive herd of common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) is on the move, two large lumber barges are being towed southbound, and the Santa Ynez mountains of Santa Barbara are in back.
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