2015 03-07 SB Coast
On the 9am excursion we located 2 humpback whales just west of offshore oil Platform "C" although one of the two was a bit shy. The one we watched was a massively huge whale with a monster tail. We had both large and small pods of long-beaked common dolphins all over the zone, and we estimated at least 2,000 for the trip. The best part of this trip was our discovery of several oceanic hot spots full of gulls, murres, shearwaters, California sea lions (at least 100 for the trip), common dolphins and, of course, humpback whales. Two Minke whales put in a fleeting appearance. After a while we moved on and found an area with 3 more humpback whales, one of which was our pal "Top Notch." Top Notch made a close and friendly approach to the Condor. With time running short we headed northwest in the direction of Santa Barbara Harbor. But a few miles outside the harbor entrance we located an area with numerous northbound gray whales. We closely watched a pod of 4 gray #whales, but there were many more spouts in the vicinity.
The 12 noon expedition headed southwest for a change and because we spotted spouts a few miles in that direction. Upon arriving on the scene we found 3 gray whales in 250 feet of water off Leadbetter Beach, and there was a bit of "rolling around and socializing" going on. Before long we spotted 4 more gray whale spouts to the west, off Hendry's Beach, then 4 more gray whales of More Mesa. The bright sun and clear blue water, set against the Santa Barbara coastline made for some fantastic sightings. About 500 common #dolphins were meandering around the zone but most of them found time to come over to the boat and make introductions. Before long it was time to head back home, so we turned east in that direction. While motoring along in the glassy smooth water, I caught a glimpse of a breaching gray whale in the distance. We got turned in that direction and the whale breached 5 or 6 more times. It was a pair of gray whales, but only one of them breached. Even after we left the scene because we were running late, it continued to breach far behind our wake. It doesn't get any better than this.
The 3 pm trip found the Condor heading southeast to the humpback whale grounds again. A trio of whales plus a single ("Top Notch") provided great looks. All of the humpbacks continually fluked up. Even more common dolphins, perhaps 2,000, were seen on the feeding grounds with the sea lions and birds. Several enormous hot spots joined all the species together at a common dining table. An end to an "epic" day.
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Gray whale head and spout - clear blue water and bright sun.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-07 SB Coast-509
Two gray whales head north along the bluffs of Santa Barbara.
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Underwater portrait - gray whale.
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Santa Barbara: the Mesa - with great view of northbound gray whales.
Eschrichtius robustus SB Coast 2015 03-07 SB Coast-a-207
Image 1 of 4: Image your surprise. You were noodling along in your runabout on a beautiful day in the Santa Barbara Channel. Out of no where, a monster gray whale gets airborne and breaches right in front of your boat. No time for a selfie, so no one will believe your tale.
Eschrichtius robustus breach with small boat 2015 03-07 SB Coast-857
Image 2 of 4: Image your surprise. You were noodling along in your runabout on a beautiful day in the Santa Barbara Channel. Out of no where, a monster gray whale gets airborne and breaches right in front of your boat. No time for a selfie, so no one will believe your tale.
Eschrichtius robustus breach with small boat 2015 03-07 SB Coast-859
Image 3 of 4: Image your surprise. You were noodling along in your runabout on a beautiful day in the Santa Barbara Channel. Out of no where, a monster gray whale gets airborne and breaches right in front of your boat. No time for a selfie, so no one will believe your tale.
Eschrichtius robustus breach with small boat 2015 03-07 SB Coast-861
Image 4 of 4: Image your surprise. You were noodling along in your runabout on a beautiful day in the Santa Barbara Channel. Out of no where, a monster gray whale gets airborne and breaches right in front of your boat. No time for a selfie, so no one will believe your tale.
Eschrichtius robustus breach with small boat 2015 03-07 SB Coast-862
The birth of a gray whale spout...underwater portrait.
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A trio of migrating gray whales.
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Image 1 of 2: The beast takes a look at the camera: a very close look at the head and eye of a gray whale.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-07 SB Coast-636
Image 1 of 2: The beast takes a look at the camera: a very close look at the head and eye of a gray whale.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-07 SB Coast-637
Reflections of a gray whale - mirror glass, Beaufort sea state zero.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-07 SB Coast-785
Underwater portrait - gray whale.
Eschrichtius robustus UW 2015 03-07 SB Coast-492
Humpback whale fan club ( with lots of common dolphins too).
Megaptera novaeangliae & passengers 2015 03-07 SB Coast-a-009
A California sea lion swims along the clear blue ocean.
Zalohus californianus 2015 03-07 SB Coast-g-016
A California sea lion shows off for the camera.
Zalophus californianus 2015 03-07 SB Coast-006
