[CINC] WW, CX 7/9

[John Kuizenga]

Bear on Board, yep, you heard it right, with a Sea Lion for a companion!
Greetings Fellow Naturalist!  These two critters, not the most loquacious,
rather sedentary, but ever vigilant, joined CX skipper, Matt, crew Dave and
Jacques, along with naturalist Marilyn Dannehower, Ginny Fischer and myself,
for a Friday foray into the SB Channel.
Approximately 65 passengers were informed prior to our departure, we would
be venturing further west than usual and as a consequence our usual visit to
Painted Cave would be scuttled, in favor of Skipper Matt¹s quest for Blues
and Humpbacks. And travel West we did, almost to a point just north of Sandy
Point at the West End of Santa Rosa, in approximately 200 fathoms, which is
about 6 miles of the coast of SR. This was the furthest point west we laid
down a track. However, before reaching that area we happen on a Humpback
here and there and then the density of MN¹s increased and we were surrounded
by four to five at various times with others blows noted off in the
distance. Marilyn¹s (PID) timing was right-on and she imaged some great
Humpback fluke shots! As we journeyed further west the number of Humpbacks
increased and then, we also began observing the tall vapor spouts of BM¹s,
momentarily suspended. While the sea wasn¹t glassy, as in the previous
several days, the winds were light. As we ventured on, to our most Western
Point, the number of Blues increase and looking off in the distance it seem
that for every two Humpback spouts seen, there was one BM blow and both
species were swimming in relative close proximity (1/4-1.0 mile) to each
other. My guesstimate is there were at least 15-20 Humpbacks in the area and
maybe half that many Blues.
While it was another overcast day, so May Gray and June Gloom have extended
into, July ____________(you fill in blank), the swell was negligible with a
2¹ wind wave and most passengers faired quite well, even heading directly
into the seas for 75 minutes, until we had our initial sightings. Great
group of passengers, from many countries and all walks of life, who the
three of us had ample time to chat with.  They were an appreciative group
for all the marine life they were viewing and thankful to us for sharing our
love and knowledge of marine life in the SB Channel.
While krill wasn¹t on the surface (300¹ today, ³Matt²), as had been the case
earlier in the week, the marine layer it did help to abate the wind.  If
fact, the most wind we had was within a mile or two of SB Harbor.
MN Behaviors included: Breaching (one 10 times), 3-4 Tail Throws,
Snorkeling, High Pitched Whines, and Fluking!   BM¹s Behaviors, as is
normally the case, were not as showy, but one in a group of two, performed
some side-swimming, (possibly feeding?) and of course diving. It seemed like
it took minutes for their huge bodies pass along the surface before
descending beneath the sea.

Before I explain to anyone interested about our special passengers,
yesterday¹s (7/9) the numbers are as follows:

    *  10 Humpbacks, with many others off in the distance
    *  4 Blues with double to triple that number beyond
    *  3-4 sightings of Common Dolphins, I¹d estimate, 200 total
    *  40 very active Pacific White Sided Dolphins
    *  Many rafts of thermo-regulating Sea Lions
    *  Sea Birds, with a few exceptions, were notably absent, other than a
few Gulls (some Heermann¹s)
       Pelicans and several Double Crested Cormorants??

Your guessed it, our special guest aboard the CX today were stuffed animals,
Ed the Bear from the UK and the our very own CINMS Seal Lion, who if he/she
has a name, I¹m sorry to report I don¹t know it?
 
Anyway, it seems Tina Johnson was contacted by an elementary school teacher
(Steve Savage) of the UK about the possibility of taking Ed to sea with us,
so he could report back to his class, in Jolly ŒOle England, about ³global
marine conditions².  Apparently, his class has been exposed to local marine
environments and issues but he¹s attempting to expand their horizons and
knowledge to include, marine conservations issues around the world.   So ,
Ginny, Marilyn and myself attempted to expose, the well traveled, Ed to what
we as naturalist experience here in the SB Channel on a regular basis.  So
as not to bore you folks, although perhaps it¹s to late, I¹ll be writing-up
a short paper detailing a single macro-ocean issue germane to us locally,
with world wide implications, such as, ocean acidity,  ocean energy
development, ship strikes, aqua-culture, upwelling, etc. If Tina feels this
is noteworthy enough to pass-on to members of the Corps, I¹m sure she¹ll do
so, however I¹ll let her make that decision? Just one more thing about Ed
the Bear, before I sign-off. When he came aboard he was aptly attired for an
aquatic adventure, complete with necessary name tag, ID and a PFD.  However,
being as he was going to sea and in our charge, we felt compelled to insure
his PFD passed stringent USCG standards, so we dumped him overboard, just to
make sure Steve and his class had fitted him out with top grade flotation
material and and Ed would be safe.
Note to Steve, The truth of the matter is, Ed never went in the drink, I¹m
just pulling your leg having a little fun but perhaps you shouldn¹t share
this with your kids!
I will, through Tina, in the next week, be sending you a few more details
about a marine conservation issue frequently discussed here in the Santa
Barbara, for you to share with your students to help them understand marine
issues with global implications, to help promote understanding at their
level and explore creative solutions!  Good luck with your ³marine based
education project² and I hope you¹re able to secure a funding source in the
future.  I will discuss with Tina or other staff Channel Islands Nat¹l
Marine Sanctuary Staff, if we can send you  a small souvenir of Ed¹s visit
here with us.   
I was able to take some photos of Ed with our talented naturalist aboard the
whale watch vessel (Condor Express), also with a few with passengers and
driving the boat.  Good Luck, John Kuizenga, Naturalist, CINMS
          

          
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