2015 02-10 SB Channel
Second Captain and deckhand Mike spotted the first pair of gray whales about 2 miles south of Santa Barbara Harbor. We had great looks as they headed for Mexico. Before long, First Captain Mike had spouts in his binoculars and soon we were watching our second pair of grays. It was a very sunny and warm day on the Santa Barbara Channel and a heat wave is forecast for the next two or three days. After a nice time with the second pair of grays we encountered the first of two separate pods of long-beaked common dolphins. We estimated around 2,000 animals total were seen today. Many mother dolphins had calves with them which was great to see in the clear blue water and bright sunshine. As we turned back to the west, First Captain Mike saw two more whales heading east, but these two were rather stealthy and only permitted a brief glimpse. Just outside the Harbor on our way in we had a single spout a few hundred yards west of us, and this was our 9th of the trip. Needless to say we were all ecstatic about the day and the wonderful gray whales.
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An adult southbound gray whale lifts its head to take a look at the camera.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 02-10 SB Channel-211
Sparklingly clear water permits a great head shot of this spouting gray whale.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 02-10 SB Channel-227
Gray whale with its head underwater and the very start of a spout.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 02-10 SB Channel-226
A gray whale passes a lobster trap float.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 02-10 SB Channel-059
A majestic brown pelican in flight...soaring across the waves.
Pelecanus occidentalis 2015 02-10 SB Channel-088
