2014 08-13 SB Channel
The ocean was flat and calm and varied between mill pond glass and a gentle breeze in spots. The sun played hide and seek with the low stratus and the ocean water offshore continues to be crystal clear and blue. We scouted the eastern Santa Barbara Channel and it was not long before we came across a massive hot zone that had at least 1,500 common dolphins, 5 humpback whales, dozens of California sea lions, and a bunch of seabirds such as black vented shearwater, elegant terns, and Brandts cormorants. At least 2 Minke whales also worked the zone. The number of Velella velella jellies was way down from its peak last Sunday.
As for the humpback whale show today, we had our three "stars" back in action: Top Notch, Rope and Lucky. They were pretty much all business but popped up near the Condor Express a few times for some very close looks. Perhaps the most intriguing humpback behavior today was at least an hour of surface logging by two other large animals. We watched from an appropriate distance for quite a while as they hung motionless, but took a mighty breath every so often just to prove they were still alive. [The crew was thinking about how if they do this for prolonged periods at night in the shipping lanes it would be a disaster.] We finally pulled away and they were still logging.
After having maxed out on cetaceans in the hot zone, we took a spin over to the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island and slowly did some excellent sight seeing along the majestic sea cliffs. We also tucked inside of Potato Harbor for a look at this jewel of a cove. On the way home there were a few more pods of common dolphins as gentle and balmy breezes wafted across the boat.
What a day !
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A waterfall from the tail flukes of a humpback whale with black-vented shearwaters flying around.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes & Puffinus opisthomelas 2014 08-13 SB Channel-d-007
MegapteranovaeangliaetailflukesPuffinusopisthomelas2014Channel007
Zalophus californianus 2014 08-13 SB Channel-c-045
A California sea lion seen underwater
Zalophus californianus UW 2014 08-13 SB Channel-c-118
Several oceanic fronts create a corduroy-like pattern on the surface. These surface slick lines (technically "fronts") are caused by converging water masses. In this case their regularity might suggest internal waves as a cause.
oceanic fronts multiple lines & Platform Habitat 2014 08-13 SB Channel-a-003
Clear and blue Velella velella jellies are seen entangled in giant kelp and surf grass on the open ocean. Velella is propelled by wind across the open ocean and may get "stuck" when it collides with detached giant kelp paddies.
Macrocystis Velella Phyllospadix paddy 2014 08-13 SB Channel-c-021
