2013 10-26 SB Channel East

The wisps of fog that enshrouded Santa Barbara Harbor quickly lifted as we pushed to the east. At times there were little "sucker holes" of sun and warmth, but for the most part it was glassy smooth but with a low overcast ceiling. Once on the feeding grounds the ceiling did not matter. We were surrounded by humpback whales. Captain Eric wants to call it 14 humpback whales, but I personally thought it was more like 18. The whales were surrounding us in pairs and triads. There were a few instances of surface lunge feeding, a prolonged episode of lob tailing, and a few spontaneous breaching whales, including a double breach about a mile west of our location. It is safe to say that the humpbacks are now arriving in the Santa Barbara Channel for their Fall seasonal food fest.

A solid 5 Minke whales were watched close to the Condor Express, but I saw many many more off a ways from the boat. The common dolphins were pretty thin most of the day, but we had a massive herd as we turned the ship towards home, with perhaps 750 or 1,000 animals.

You can click on the "Map This" button to see where we went.

Thank You!

A majestic great blue heron (Ardea herodias) poses for a portrait on the jet ski rental dock in Santa Barbara Harbor.
Ardea herodias CLOSE 2013 Channel East 003
Two full grown humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) come over to greet the nature lovers on the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2013 Channel East 012
One of two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) come in close and spouts for the whale watchers.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2013 Channel East 018
Another look at the two very friendly humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2013 Channel East 022
Megaptera novaeangliae & passengers 2013 10-26 SB Channel East-032
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2013 Channel East 032
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) as seen in the distance.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel East 018
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfaces right in front of the boat.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2013 Channel East 029
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) side by side.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel East 033
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) spout simultaneously.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2013 Channel East 050
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with a damaged tail.
Megaptera novaeangliae damaged tail 2013 Channel East 019
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with a damaged tail.
Megaptera novaeangliae damaged tail flukes 2013 Channel East 041
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with a damaged tail.
Megaptera novaeangliae damaged tail 2013 Channel East 030
Image 1 of 2: A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) barely breaks the surface and starts to spout.
Megaptera novaeangliae rising 2013 Channel East 053
Image 2 of 2: A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) barely breaks the surface and starts to spout.
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2013 Channel East 054
Image 1 of 3: A surface lunge feeding humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) gets the attention of a mass of seabirds.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding Pelecanus occidentalis 2013 Channel East 138
Image 2 of 3: A surface lunge feeding humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) gets the attention of a mass of seabirds.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding Pelecanus occidentalis 2013 Channel East 137
Image 3 of 3: A surface lunge feeding humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) gets the attention of a mass of seabirds.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding Pelecanus occidentalis 2013 Channel East 140
An extreme close up look at the blowholes and splashguard of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2013 Channel East 001
Tail flukes of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes 2013 Channel East 010
The tall spout of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) catches the sunlight.
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2013 Channel East 106
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) slams its tail on the surface. The whale is upside down and the white you see is the under side (ventral surface) of the tail.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2013 Channel East 086
Tail flukes waterfall - a deep diving humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes waterfall 2013 Channel East 049
A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) takes a look at the camera lens.
Zalophus californianus water 2013 Channel East 002
The emergency natural gas burn off torch on an offshore oil platform in the Santa Barbara Channel.
oil platform gas burn torch 2013 Channel East 002
Three California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) cavort.
Zalophus californianus water 2013 Channel East 024
A closer look at two cavorting California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus water 2013 Channel East 027
A California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) grins.
Zalophus californianus water 2013 Channel East 034
A common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) emits a bubble stream from its single blowhole.
Delphinus capensis 2013 Channel East 002

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2013 10-26 SB Channel East