2013 12-14 SB Channel
About 3 miles north of the island we ran alongside 4 southbound gray whales. They were "all business" setting a pretty much direct course past the islands and showing a lot of tail flukes. Of course this was spectacular with the gorgeous sunny skies and clear blue water. After a long visit with these initial 4 big whales, we angled south to run along the north face of Santa Cruz, but our route was interrupted by numerous pods of Risso's dolphins. In fact, we headed for the Painted Cave, then past Frasier Point and out into the Santa Cruz Channel, and had Risso's in our sights almost all the way. Some of the most interesting Risso's were found in the Santa Cruz Channel (the channel between Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa Island). These Risso's were observed running full throttle to the south, and sending up a huge rooster tail of spray. There was also another gray whale, our 5th of the day, in the SC Channel. It would be hard to estimate the total number of Risso's dolphins....but it must have been way more than 100 individuals.
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Thank You !
Here a gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is still beneath the surface as it starts to spout.
The dorsal surface of the rostrum and head of this gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) are seen in blue water.
Yellow barnacles cover the head and back of this gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) as it sends up a tall spout.
Two southbound gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) are captured, one spouting, in the Santa Barbara Channel with the mainland Santa Ynez Mountains in the background.
See if you can find all three gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) spouts on the north face of Santa Cruz Island.
A gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) spouts while footprints from another gray whale are seen in the foreground.
Head, spout and back of a mature gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
Tail flukes - gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
Tail flukes - gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
A foaming back and bushy spout - gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
Tail flukes - gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
A friendly approach by a gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).
A Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli).
