2015 10-07 SB Channel
Today we hosted a boat load of cruise ship whale lovers that hopped off one boat (a big one) and stepped directly onto the Condor Express. Both the weather and the sea conditions were superb and I think it was one of the nicest days we've had in a week or so. Captain Dave took the helm and steered a course for the last known sector of our previous whale sightings. Along the route two things happened before we found humpbacks. First, we had a 6 or 7 foot hammerhead shark pass directly alongside the boat. Strangely, the fish appeared to be carrying a stipe of bull kelp in its mouth. Thanks to "ojos del águila" Auggie for spotting this animal. Second, Auggie also spotted two pods of long-beaked common dolphins with about 1,200 animals total. Dave ran east for a while with these little cetaceans and everyone got to see the tiny calves in the pod.
Around 1220 Dave spotted our first of 7 humpback whales. This beast was accompanied by a mob of about 30 California sea lions that dove when it dove, and surfaced once or twice until the whale came up. My unsubstantiated hypothesis is that the larger lung volume of the whale could out last the smaller lungs of the sea lions in a breath-holding contest.
About 20 minutes later ojos del águila found a region with 6 humpback whales and probably more in the area. Great looks were had by all. At one point two of the whales came right over to the starboard side of the Condor Express to take a look at their fan club. The water is still Santa Barbara cobalt and clear, so this encounter was even more magical.
On a sad note, after today's excursion we learned that a gray whale yearling had died and washed ashore on East Beach. Photographs show a very skinny whale with its spine and neck showing. Some well intentioned beach goers tried in vain to put the carcass back into deeper water in their hope to revive the whale. The mass of the body and force of on-coming waves put an end to their quest. It appears starvation may be the cause of death.
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Read MoreAround 1220 Dave spotted our first of 7 humpback whales. This beast was accompanied by a mob of about 30 California sea lions that dove when it dove, and surfaced once or twice until the whale came up. My unsubstantiated hypothesis is that the larger lung volume of the whale could out last the smaller lungs of the sea lions in a breath-holding contest.
About 20 minutes later ojos del águila found a region with 6 humpback whales and probably more in the area. Great looks were had by all. At one point two of the whales came right over to the starboard side of the Condor Express to take a look at their fan club. The water is still Santa Barbara cobalt and clear, so this encounter was even more magical.
On a sad note, after today's excursion we learned that a gray whale yearling had died and washed ashore on East Beach. Photographs show a very skinny whale with its spine and neck showing. Some well intentioned beach goers tried in vain to put the carcass back into deeper water in their hope to revive the whale. The mass of the body and force of on-coming waves put an end to their quest. It appears starvation may be the cause of death.
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Side view of a humpback waterfall.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2015 10-07 SB Channel-b-027
Humpback underwater with long glowing pectoral fin
Megaptera novaeangliae 2015 10-07 SB Channel-b-161
Two humpback whales and the mainland Santa Barbara coast in back.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2015 10-07 SB Channel-b-174
Humpback whole body underwater.
Megaptera novaeangliae 2015 10-07 SB Channel-b-169
