2022 04-02 SB Coast
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MUGGED! AND MORE...
Three trips explored the nearshore Santa Barbara waters today, 9a, 12n, and 3p. Although it was overcast and cool until 1pm, it was never foggy. There was a light wind with a moderate westerly swell. Sightings were fantastic: 7 humpback whales, 1100 long-beaked common dolphins, 6 gray whales and 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
The morning adventure started off with a great look at a small ocean sunfish (Mola mola). It remained on the surface as the Condor Express slowly circled, and did not dive. A while later, a compact herd of dolphins came by and rode our bow, side and stern waves. The pod took off on a stampede run at one point, into the wind and across the swells. Breathtaking. The morning reached a crescendo right after the dolphin experience when we closely watched a pair of humpback whales about 4 miles south of Platform Holly. After a few moments of general whale watching, which, in retrospect, was probably a short “getting comfortable” period, the pair came over and mugged the boat. One of them roamed back and forth directly under the boat and became and “equal opportunity” whale allowing fans on boat sides to enjoy its presence. Meanwhile the other whale spent a lot of time enjoying the streams of water put out by our four jets. (Hypothesis: was it rinsing its baleen?) Quite a few whale watchers continually moved from port to starboard and back again as the first whale directed their dance. Most of the time we had one or both of them whales within inches of our hull, and only a few feet from adoring human eyes.
On the noon adventure, about 2 miles off The Mesa, a pair of spouts turned out to be our pal “Snowflake,” and his buddy. We’ve seen these two for the past few days and it’s always fun. Lots of tail flukes! Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it! Later, 4 miles off Hope Ranch, we found another large herd of dolphins with similar behaviors as the morning encounter.
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Read MoreMUGGED! AND MORE...
Three trips explored the nearshore Santa Barbara waters today, 9a, 12n, and 3p. Although it was overcast and cool until 1pm, it was never foggy. There was a light wind with a moderate westerly swell. Sightings were fantastic: 7 humpback whales, 1100 long-beaked common dolphins, 6 gray whales and 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
The morning adventure started off with a great look at a small ocean sunfish (Mola mola). It remained on the surface as the Condor Express slowly circled, and did not dive. A while later, a compact herd of dolphins came by and rode our bow, side and stern waves. The pod took off on a stampede run at one point, into the wind and across the swells. Breathtaking. The morning reached a crescendo right after the dolphin experience when we closely watched a pair of humpback whales about 4 miles south of Platform Holly. After a few moments of general whale watching, which, in retrospect, was probably a short “getting comfortable” period, the pair came over and mugged the boat. One of them roamed back and forth directly under the boat and became and “equal opportunity” whale allowing fans on boat sides to enjoy its presence. Meanwhile the other whale spent a lot of time enjoying the streams of water put out by our four jets. (Hypothesis: was it rinsing its baleen?) Quite a few whale watchers continually moved from port to starboard and back again as the first whale directed their dance. Most of the time we had one or both of them whales within inches of our hull, and only a few feet from adoring human eyes.
On the noon adventure, about 2 miles off The Mesa, a pair of spouts turned out to be our pal “Snowflake,” and his buddy. We’ve seen these two for the past few days and it’s always fun. Lots of tail flukes! Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it! Later, 4 miles off Hope Ranch, we found another large herd of dolphins with similar behaviors as the morning encounter.
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Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale SPLASHGUARD 2022 04-02 SB Coast--065
Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback MUGGING with passengers 2022 04-02 SB Coast-c-147
MegapteranovaeangliaeHumpbackMUGGINGwithpassengers2022Coast147
Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback MUGGING with passengers 2022 04-02 SB Coast-c-118
MegapteranovaeangliaeHumpbackMUGGINGwithpassengers2022Coast118
Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback MUGGING with passengers 2022 04-02 SB Coast-c-187
MegapteranovaeangliaeHumpbackMUGGINGwithpassengers2022Coast187
