2013 11-10 SB Channel-East

Tale of the tails.

We closely watched at least 6 humpback whales today, with another 7 or 8 in the immediate area. It was the "day of the tails" today. All the humpacks were fluking up, and many had very short down times so we got to see their tail a lot. Add to this tail fluking another humpback that did a series of dramatic tail throws, and another 15 minutes of tail lobbing, I decided this was the "day of the tails".

There was a light breeze with some tiny white caps on the water today but it was sunny and we had very blue water again. Although I saw 2 Minkes during the trip today myself, I don't think anyone else saw them. We did have at least 550 common dolphins...probably more....but who can count these rascals?

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

Thank You!

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) throws its tail in the sparkling sunlight with oil Platform Grace in the background.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw Platform Grace 2013 Channel 007
A powerful tail throw by a very active humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2013 Channel 041
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2013 Channel 046
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2013 Channel 023
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail lob 2013 Channel 136
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2013 Channel 031
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail flukes.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes 2013 Channel 080
Looking down the broad, shiny back at the exhaled spray from the twin exhaust pipes of a Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2013 Channel 069
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2013 Channel 058
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail flukes waterfall.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes waterfall 2013 Channel 016
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2013 Channel 055
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail throw leaves a thunderous explosion of spray.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw splash explosion 2013 Channel 066
The signature scars on this Humpback whale's (Megaptera novaeangliae) tail flukes show a variety of patterns including what may be the rake marks from the teeth of an Orca.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail scars 2013 Channel 082
Two Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) side by side.
Megaptera novaeangliae two profiles 2013 Channel 063
The exhaled spray from the twin exhaust pipes of a Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2013 Channel 033
A very close up look at the unique hooked dorsal fin (and barnacle on top) of a this Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae hooked dorsal barnacle 2013 Channel 013
A very close up look at the spout spray of a Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Megaptera novaeangliae spout 2013 Channel 010
An elegant tern (Sterna elegans).
Sterna elegans 2013 Channel 002
Oil platform A in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Platform 2013 Channel 003

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2013 11-10 SB Channel-East