[CINC] Sun Aug 22nd - Island Packers

[Lisa Rizzo]

300+ Common Dolphin
12 Dalls Porpoise
1 Blue Whale

Was this the last Blue Whale of the season?

It was windy and rough as Island Packers headed up the coast toward Point Conception.  Capt Alex was heading for the Harmony oil rig where blue whales were seen a few days ago.  We spotted Common Dolphin and then some Dalls Porpoise.  But it wasnt until we were heading to SCI Painted Cave that we spotted a lone Blue Whale heading East in the Gap between Santa Rosa Island & Santa Cruz Island.  We observed the whale in a regular breathing cycle (a 4 minute sound) for almost 30 minutes.  

After a rough day on the water everyone was relieved to see a Blue Whale.

Also spotted were storm petrels, pharalopes (sp?), shearwaters and a bald eagle (SCI) too far away to see the tag.

Reported by:
Lisa Rizzo