2013 11-24 SB Channel East
The sea conditions were absolutely immaculate. Clear, sunny crisp and visibilities from San Miguel down to Boney Ridge with all 4 norther Channel Islands clearly visible. The water was also blue and clear down on the hot spot. Just outside the Harbor we saw 2 inshore bottlenose dolphins, and outside on the way to the feeding grounds we encountered about 10 offshore bottlenose dolphins. A great day for cetacean diversity AND abundance.
Look at these images in terms of the masses of pelicans and other seabirds working along side humpback whales on the hot spot.
You can click the "Map This" button to see where we went.
Thank You !
A long v-shaped squadron of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) soared inches above the glassy ocean surface on an intercept course with the Condor Express. Half the squad made it past the bow, the trailing half had to fend for itself. Most of the birds soared upwards, then over the boat. In the process, this young pelican came up eyeball-to-eyeball with my lens. Pelicans are fantastic beasts.
Two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge feed on the surface attacking a massive school of northern anchovies (Engraulis mordax). In this rare glimpse inside the open mouth and inner edge of the baleen, you can see several anchovies entangled in the baleen fibers.
MegapteranovaeangliaeEngrauliscaughtbaleenCLOSE2013ChannelEast005
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with pure white pecoral fins takes a deep dive right next to the Condor Express.
