2016 03-29 SB Channel

Only one trip today: 9 am. Captain Eric took charge and kept us safe, dry and comfortable as we ran west, up the coast. Our first mammal sightings consisted of about 10 Pacific white-sided dolphins along with an equal number of California sea lions. The two species were feeding on small anchovy spots in a circle around the outer harbor buoy, the red and white one. From there we slowly ploughed ahead into the on-coming winds and seas, following the migratory path of the gray whales heading to Alaska this time of year. Three gray whales were located off Goleta Bay, and we tracked alongside until we were west of Sands Beach. Due to the wind and seas these whales kept a low profile and did most of their travels in the calm sub-surface waters. On the way home, down swell and facing the warm sun, we found the same sea otter that we encountered yesterday in that massive kelp bed just off Isla Vista. Everyone on board was thrilled.




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