[CINC] CX Whale-watching July 6

[Mr Zalophus]

Photos of the Blue Whales, frisky Common Dolphins and abundant Sea Lions are
now posted to the boat photo site:
http://www.condorexpressphotos.com/Other/2010-07-06-SB-Channel/

Thanks for the great report, Maria!
best fishes
Bob Perry
Condor Express

On Tue, Jul 6, 2010 at 9:39 PM, Maria G. Ornelas <maria at rasnowpeak.com>wrote:

> Hi Naturalists,
>
> Sightings:
> 2 adult Blue Whales
> Pod of Common Dolphins (~ 200)
> Many groups of 2-10 California Sea Lions
>
>  Captain Matt and crew, Naturalists Pat, Don, and Maria, along with 32
> paying passengers left SB Harbor at 10:00 a.m. under overcast skies and calm
> seas (Beaufort 0-1). Visibility was a few miles. Weather conditions remained
> stable throughout the trip.  An hour later we encountered the pod of Common
> Dolphins, to everyone's delight. Half hour later, on our way towards SCI, we
> sighted the whales. They were feeding on the surface and traveling slowly.
> They came very close to the boat. One of the Blues was a bit evasive at
> first, but then relaxed and we were able enjoy both whales. One of them got
> within ~ 25 feet of the boat, and during one of those visits, the whale left
> us a present of "processed" krill. It was the most colorful (bright-red)
> excrement ever. For over an hour, we were treated to wonderful flukes a few
> times, as well as to powerful exhalations.
>
> Captain Matt than headed Northeast SCI but did not find the Humpbacks. He
> proceeded along the Island, and treated the passengers to Painted Cave. On
> our way back to the harbor, as well as on the way out, we saw many small
> groups of sea lions thermoregulating. They were floating on their backs,
> with limbs sticking out of the water, they looked like rafts, so I was not
> surprised when a passenger asked "What is that?" They looked really funny.
> We all had a wonderful, relaxing time out in the water.
>
>   Maria G. Ornelas
> maria at rasnowpeak.com
>
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