[CINC] Condor on Tuesday, 24 August

[Valerie Olson]

Hi All,

Today's Tally ... 5 different species

10 Blue Whales
25 Humpback Whales
20 Rissos Dolphins
10 Dall's Porpoises
5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins

I normally do not wax eloquent, but it is impossible to be anything  
but ecstatic about a day like today.  We traveled 46 miles to get to  
the feeding grounds ...  west past San Miguel and just outside the  
Channel.  (Apparently this area is known as the "Cod Hole" by local  
fishermen.)  It took more than two hours ... but we were rewarded  
beyond belief.  We were treated to both Humpbacks and Blues feeding,  
all 35 of those reported within 1/4 mile of the Condor, and dozens of  
others in the distance ... too numerous to count.  At one point there  
were so many spouts that it looked like a field of  geysers at  
Yellowstone National Park!

Both the Humpbacks and the Blues were lunge feeding at the surface;  
rolling, pec slapping, displaying only a few flukes, vocalizing and  
giving us close up views of the gigantic maws  extended with food.   
It was also great to see a cow/calf pair lunge feeding right beside  
one another.  Add a multitude of birds, sea lions, the Pacific White  
sided Dolphins and a fur seal pup and you have one of the most  
wonderful experiences I have ever had on the channel.  Passengers,  
crew and staff were  pretty happy as well.

Many thanks to Mat, Dave, Dennis and Bob Perry for this outstanding day!

Valerie Olson, Gary Delanoeye  and John Kuizenga on Photo ID

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