2015 03-14 SB Coast

The original Condor "Big Bird" ran 3 trips at 2½ hours each today. Oh my gawd it was such fantastic weather and sea conditions. Both of the first two trips (9am and 12 noon) had Mill Pond flat glass Beaufort Zero conditions with very warm sun and clear but hazy skies. On the morning run we viewed 8 gray whales, a pod of 3 whales and then a very nice pod of 5 #whales. The whales appeared suspended in space as they slowly migrated northbound in the crystal blue waters that merged with the dreamy skies. These were all adult whales of various sizes. We also paid a visit to at least 250 long-beaked common dolphins and, again, they were spectacular given the great conditions.

At noon we headed out to the southwest and ran into another pod of five gray whales. These were pretty much all about migrating in a straight line to the west and spent most of their time on the surface or very near it. A wonderful encounter. Only 5 long-beaked #dolphins on this trip.

The 3pm adventure two pods of gray whales, duo and a trio, were observed about two miles off Hope Ranch. These were "snorkelers," whales that hardly show anything but bubbles. Luckily the day was so nice everyone still had good lucks at the spouts in the crystal clear water.

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A juvenile California sea lion is seen underwater with its head near the surface.
Zalophus californianus UW fish in mouth 2015 03-14 SB Coast-002
Zalophus californianus fish mouth 2015 Coast 002
A miniature bubble stream comes from the blowhole of this long-beaked common dolphin.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-103
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 103
Clear blue water reveals a mother and her calf - long beaked common dolphins.
Delphinus capensis cow-calf 2015 03-14 SB Coast-a-001
Delphinus capensis cow calf 2015 Coast 001
Image 1 of 4 in a row: a mighty gray whale slips under the glassy surface and is seen in the clear blue water.
Eschrichtius robustus UW 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-002
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 002
Image 2 of 4 in a row: a mighty gray whale slips under the glassy surface and is seen in the clear blue water.
Eschrichtius robustus UW 2015 03-14 SB Coast-006
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 006
Image 3 of 4 in a row: a mighty gray whale slips under the glassy surface and is seen in the clear blue water.
Eschrichtius robustus UW 2015 03-14 SB Coast-009
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 009
Image 4 of 4 in a row: a mighty gray whale slips under the glassy surface and is seen in the clear blue water.
Eschrichtius robustus UW 2015 03-14 SB Coast-010
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 010
A gray whale spouts in clear blue water with a mirror glass surface.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-14 SB Coast-052
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 052
Gray whale tail flukes waterfall.
Eschrichtius robustus tail flukes 2015 03-14 SB Coast-347
Eschrichtius robustus tail flukes 2015 Coast 347
Count the number of dolphins in the reflection patterns. What a day !
Delphinus capensis leaping reflections 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-017
Delphinus capensis leaping reflections 2015 Coast 017
Beaufort sea state one.
ocean surface Beaufort sea state one 2015 03-14 SB Coast-004
ocean surface Beaufort sea state one 2015 Coast 004
Gray whale tail flukes.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-14 SB Coast-012
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 012
Santa Barbara Harbor fun zone.
vessel sailboats many 2015 03-14 SB Coast-017
vessel sailboats many 2015 Coast 017
Three surfin' long-beaked common dolphins ride a glassy wave.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-004
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 004
A long-beaked common dolphin slides down a glassy mirror wave.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-009
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 009
A dynamic duo of long-beaked common dolphiins seen beneath the big blue mirror.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-023
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 023
Two surf riders.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-042
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 042
Lone surfer rides the blue mountain.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-047
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 047
Long-beaked common dolphin.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-b-057
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 057
Left profile of a mighty gray.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-14 SB Coast-054
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 054
Two gray whales head north.
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 03-14 SB Coast-286
Eschrichtius robustus 2015 Coast 286
Offshore oil platform Alpha - Santa Barbara Channel - with gas burn off flame.
Platform A gas burn off 2015 03-14 SB Coast-a-004
Platform gas burn off 2015 Coast 004
Panorama - a summer day in March. Pi day in Santa Barbara.
vessel sailboats many wide angle 2015 03-14 SB Harbor-008
vessel sailboats many wide angle 2015 Harbor 008
Long-beaked common dolphins greet their fans.
Delphinus capensis 2015 03-14 SB Coast-a-006
Delphinus capensis 2015 Coast 006

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2015 03-14 SB Coast

Location for some of today's images.