2013 07-29 SB Channel

It was an afternoon trip, running from 1pm to 530pm. "Blue skies, blue water and blue whales"! Don't let this fool you because just as the trip started and we were only a mile of less off the beach, we had a magical encounter with a humpback whale that came over and did tricks. It rolled on its back and exposed its belly with the long ventral grooves, right next to the boat. And then it was off again as quickly as it started.

Out near Santa Cruz Island the sharp eyes of deckhand Eric spotted the first very tall, thin spout. That's what we all saw, but Eric had the binoculars and quickly confirmed that it was indeed a giant blue whale. As we got closer, it was two blue whales, then three. The final count was 5 blue whales watched closely and perhaps another 5 whales all around in binocular range.

In the morning we ran a charter for the UCSB scientists who mentor young junior high students and do an oceanography cruise on the Condor Express. This included a trip around Platform Holly and a look at one of the gas bubble holes.

By the way, if you want to see a map of where we went, click on "Map This" in the upper right.

Thank You !

A striking abstract pattern created on the ocean surface by natural oil and gas seepage using high contrast photography.
abstract oil surface 2013 Channel 004
The thick tail stock and flukes of a giant blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus tail flukes 2013 Channel 039
A blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) cruises along the north face of Santa Cruz Island.
Balaenoptera musculus Sta Cruz Island 2013 Channel 013
The afternoon sunlight highlights the very tall spout of a giant blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) at Santa Cruz Island.
Balaenoptera musculus Sta Cruz Island 2013 Channel 002
The bright blue color of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) seen just beneath the ocean surface.
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 173
The head, mouth and blow holes of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 096
A blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) spouts up in the bright afternoon sunlight.
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 015
A blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) shows its tiny dorsal fin.
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 019
Another spouting blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 078
A photograph that was sized vertically to show the height of the tall spout of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 021
Emphasizing the sleek, low profile of the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) head.
Balaenoptera musculus 2013 Channel 013
A blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) at Santa Cruz Island.
Balaenoptera musculus spout Sta Cruz Island 2013 Channel 491
An abstract pattern created on the ocean surface by natural oil and gas seepage using high contrast photography.
abstract oil surface 2013 Channel 007
A glob of naturally occurring tar or asphalt floating on the ocean surface. This tar is created when the hydrocarbons emitted by natural oil and gas seeps reacts with the sun.
asphalt tar glob mass ocean surface 2013 Channel 008
A common dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 006
A surfing common dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 018
Three surfing common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 019
Three surfing common dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel 026
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) pays a friendly visit to the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2013 Channel 026
Humans enjoy a very close humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spout.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2013 Channel 020
A juvenile black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) keeps a watchful eye on Santa Barbara harbor.
nycticorax 2013 Channel 019
Image 1 of 2: an extremely friendly humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) rolls completely upside down as it comes within touching distance of the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae upside iPad 2013 Channel 001
Image 2 of 2: an extremely friendly humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) rolls completely upside down as it comes within touching distance of the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae upside iPad 2013 Channel 006
An "egg yolk" or "fried egg" jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica) floating near the ocean surface.
Phacellophora camtschatica egg yolk jelly 2013 Channel 008
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) enjoy a great resting spot on the landing deck of Platform Holly.
Platform Holly 2013 Channel 011
Workers on Platform Holly pose for a moment with the Hydrogen sulfide warning sign.
Platform Holly hydrogen sulfide work men 2013 Channel 014
A sea bird feeding frenzy on an oceanic hot spot. Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) can be seen crash diving for bait fish.
sea birds hot spot 2013 Channel 008
Platform Holly.
Platform Holly 2013 Channel 005
A crane barge helps lay down a new electricity supply cable to Platform Holly.
vessel crane barge laying cable 2013 Channel 004
A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) keeps its eye on the camera.
Zalophus californianus water 2013 Channel 009
The small kelp cutting vessel Ocean Harvest.
vessel kelp cutter Ocean Harvest 2013 Channel 012

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2013 07-29 SB Channel