2019 06-18 SB Channel
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Captain Colton and the crew of the Condor Express found so many cetaceans on mirror glass water that it was impossible to get an accurate count. We did our best and after a full discussion, we are publishing 19+ humpback whales, 2000+ long-beaked common dolphins (“dolphins”), 50 California sea lions and 50 offshore bottlenose dolphins.
The Santa Barbara Channel had whales, sea lions and dolphins everywhere we looked from about 5 miles out to 15 miles out. Dolphin pods ranged in size from 50 to 500 individuals, and whales were found as singles, pairs, trios and more. There were numerous distant breaches, chin slaps and tail throws, but none of these behaviors were close to the boat today. However, there was a mother humpback with an energetic calf, and the calf breached about ¼ mile away. Several whales approached the Condor Express and took a look at us. There were countless additional whales and dolphins in the distance that we did not have time to watch.
At one point Captain Colton broke away from the humpbacks and ran parallel to Santa Cruz Island in a search for larger species. None were found today, but several dozen offshore bottlenose dolphins did find us and great looks were had by all.
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Read MoreCaptain Colton and the crew of the Condor Express found so many cetaceans on mirror glass water that it was impossible to get an accurate count. We did our best and after a full discussion, we are publishing 19+ humpback whales, 2000+ long-beaked common dolphins (“dolphins”), 50 California sea lions and 50 offshore bottlenose dolphins.
The Santa Barbara Channel had whales, sea lions and dolphins everywhere we looked from about 5 miles out to 15 miles out. Dolphin pods ranged in size from 50 to 500 individuals, and whales were found as singles, pairs, trios and more. There were numerous distant breaches, chin slaps and tail throws, but none of these behaviors were close to the boat today. However, there was a mother humpback with an energetic calf, and the calf breached about ¼ mile away. Several whales approached the Condor Express and took a look at us. There were countless additional whales and dolphins in the distance that we did not have time to watch.
At one point Captain Colton broke away from the humpbacks and ran parallel to Santa Cruz Island in a search for larger species. None were found today, but several dozen offshore bottlenose dolphins did find us and great looks were had by all.
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Two California sea lions socializing.
Zalophus californianus 2019 06-18 SB Channel-c-004
