2022 03-30 SB Coast
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GRAY WHALE AND BULL SEA LION INSIDE HARBOR...PLUS LOADS OF NICE HUMPBACKS
There were two excursions today, a 9a and a 12n. At 9a the skies were overcast, there were moderate winds and seas. The sun took over mid-way through the morning trip, and by the time we departed Santa Barbara Landing a noon, seas had flattened a bit and there was no wind. For the day there were 4 humpback whales and 2 gray whales sighted.
The so called “harbor” gray whale is still active inside the mouth of Santa Barbara Harbor. Both incoming and outgoing vessels must slow, stop or deviate from their course to avoid it. Kayakers surrounded the animal at 9a. The whale is small, perhaps a sub-adult or late juvenile, and has a distinctive white patch of skin directly behind its blowhole. You can see all this in the photograph I’ve attached. We had two sightings of this animal, first as we returned from our morning adventure, then again as we departed the harbor for the noon excursion.
The four sightings of humpback whales consisted of the same pair being watched closely on each trip. During the late middle of the 9a trip, Captain Dave spotted the pair, got located nearby, and had great looks. Then, at the start of the noon excursion, we ran back out and had another nice visit with the pair. Both were adults, and both stayed together during both encounters. These were wonderful flukers, and it was easy to tell them apart as one had a pure white tail with a small black margin all the way around. The second had a dark tail with a large area of white patches on each fluke.
A curious male sea lion patrolled the dock looking for a handout. Lots of selfies were taken, a few way too close…in my opinion.
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Read MoreGRAY WHALE AND BULL SEA LION INSIDE HARBOR...PLUS LOADS OF NICE HUMPBACKS
There were two excursions today, a 9a and a 12n. At 9a the skies were overcast, there were moderate winds and seas. The sun took over mid-way through the morning trip, and by the time we departed Santa Barbara Landing a noon, seas had flattened a bit and there was no wind. For the day there were 4 humpback whales and 2 gray whales sighted.
The so called “harbor” gray whale is still active inside the mouth of Santa Barbara Harbor. Both incoming and outgoing vessels must slow, stop or deviate from their course to avoid it. Kayakers surrounded the animal at 9a. The whale is small, perhaps a sub-adult or late juvenile, and has a distinctive white patch of skin directly behind its blowhole. You can see all this in the photograph I’ve attached. We had two sightings of this animal, first as we returned from our morning adventure, then again as we departed the harbor for the noon excursion.
The four sightings of humpback whales consisted of the same pair being watched closely on each trip. During the late middle of the 9a trip, Captain Dave spotted the pair, got located nearby, and had great looks. Then, at the start of the noon excursion, we ran back out and had another nice visit with the pair. Both were adults, and both stayed together during both encounters. These were wonderful flukers, and it was easy to tell them apart as one had a pure white tail with a small black margin all the way around. The second had a dark tail with a large area of white patches on each fluke.
A curious male sea lion patrolled the dock looking for a handout. Lots of selfies were taken, a few way too close…in my opinion.
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Eschrichtius robustus in harbor 2022 03-30 SB Harbor--001
Eschrichtius robustus in harbor 2022 03-30 SB Harbor--999
Megaptera novaengliae 2 Humpback whales & passengers 2022 03-30 SB Coast-b-135
