2015 08-17 SB Channel
Flat, calm and even glassy sea conditions returned to the Santa Barbara Channel making great whale watching possible. Skies remained cloudy with a thin marine layer until just after 100 pm. The following are total estimated numbers of individuals watched closely today: humpback whales = 14 (more in the area); Minke whale = 1; long-beaked common dolphins = 2,700; offshore bottlenose dolphins = 250.
The Minke sighting was early and it was a large and very cooperative animal. It maintained a straight course and surfaced regularly. A hundred or so common #dolphins were in the immediate area. We headed further offshore and about 45 minutes later followed 2 humpback whales, one of which fluked up on every dive, shallow or deep.
Further offshore and about 25 minutes later we watched 4 more humpback #whales and a few hundred common dolphins. Ten minutes after that we had another 3 humpbacks around the area. No special tricks were observed from the humpbacks today except for a few very close and friendly approaches to the Condor Express.
A nice visit to the western end of Santa Cruz Island accompanied Captain Dave's narration and included a great visit to the world-famous Painted Cave. After the Cave tour we reversed course and started on a line towards Santa Barbara.
Around 110 pm and after we crossed the Lanes, deck hand (and 2nd Captain) Eric spotted a vast, 1-mile diameter region, with at least 250 offshore bottlenose dolphins spread out and feeding. They showed only a mild interest in the boat and went about their business.
Finally, about 4 miles offshore, we spotted a few more humpback whales and another 200 common dolphins to round out this fantastic day of cetacean watching.
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Read MoreThe Minke sighting was early and it was a large and very cooperative animal. It maintained a straight course and surfaced regularly. A hundred or so common #dolphins were in the immediate area. We headed further offshore and about 45 minutes later followed 2 humpback whales, one of which fluked up on every dive, shallow or deep.
Further offshore and about 25 minutes later we watched 4 more humpback #whales and a few hundred common dolphins. Ten minutes after that we had another 3 humpbacks around the area. No special tricks were observed from the humpbacks today except for a few very close and friendly approaches to the Condor Express.
A nice visit to the western end of Santa Cruz Island accompanied Captain Dave's narration and included a great visit to the world-famous Painted Cave. After the Cave tour we reversed course and started on a line towards Santa Barbara.
Around 110 pm and after we crossed the Lanes, deck hand (and 2nd Captain) Eric spotted a vast, 1-mile diameter region, with at least 250 offshore bottlenose dolphins spread out and feeding. They showed only a mild interest in the boat and went about their business.
Finally, about 4 miles offshore, we spotted a few more humpback whales and another 200 common dolphins to round out this fantastic day of cetacean watching.
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The sleek lines of a Minke whale.
Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2015 08-17 SB Channel-011
Photographers enjoy a humpback whale on a glassy ocean.
Megaptera novaeangliae & passengers 2015 08-17 SB Channel-a-003
A humpback whale flukes-up in the middle of a flock of black-vented shearwaters.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2015 08-17 SB Channel-009
A very friendly humpback whale says hi to its fans.
Megaptera novaeangliae CLOSE & passengers 2015 08-17 SB Channel-a-005
Tail flukes on a glassy sea.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke & passengers 2015 08-17 SB Channel-a-036
