[CINC] Sunday, 17 October on the CX

[Kenneth A. Tatro]

Hi folks, 

Guess we did not coordinate as well as usual, so I will give the report for this past Sunday. Apologies for the delay.

7 Humpbacks, 
5 Minkes
Many small pods, of Common Dolphin

Many large patches of bird feeding frenzies.

Overcast and light rain was the greeting as we left the harbor, stopping to say hello to the family of Sea Lions in residence at the outer most green buoy, and we were on our way.

Don Gilles had PID this trip and Lisa Rizzo and I the interpretation. We gave our intro presentation, pumping up the folks for some good sightings and then went to rails to spot some blows.

Seemed a bit grim at first, going a good distance and nothing but a few Commons greeting us here and there as we headed out to where the Condor had seen some Humpbacks previously. The folks thoroughly enjoyed the Dolphins, but no whales in view. We had heard of lunge feeding, so we were ready for some of the same, heh, heh, ... right!!. We do see this, but not always, by a long shot.

Time went by, no whales, seas were very nice and at many points like glass. Great for sighting, if they would only show. Great, also, for folks and vessel motion issues.

Folks on board came form from England, and L.A., Michigan and a group from Maryland.  These folks, three ladies and one teen age girl were hard core Baltimore Ravens fans and had the game going on their phones and iPad against the New England Patriots. They were constantly torn, hang with the iPad or go to the rails with the Whales. They would be cheering loudly or moaning as the evenly matched game progressed and then went into over time.

Then Captain Mat announced a sighting, and then some more, maybe two, no, ...  five Humpbacks in the same area.  Folks were up in flash and at the rails. Sure enough, at least two, and then two more in the distance. 

We homed in on the two and followed them as we could see they were on a mission, not fast but sure and steady. Another one on the port side off a good bit but certain a Humpback.

Then the two, ... HEY!! ... we know that one, ... its ROPE, her big scare from the rope episode some 8 -10 years ago still quite obvious. What a nice introduction to the folks on board, as we explained who she was and her story.

Then two Minkes, and another not too far out, closest I'd seen them in my four years. NICE. Not too shy either, for this vey shy species. Then two more a good bit off but quite visible to all, ... very nice. 

Soon, ahead, birds, a small kagillion of them, Western Gulls, Pelicans, Sooty Shearwaters, ...  all going  for it, diving ker-SPLASH !! Wings a flapping, squawking and crackling, up, flying in a circle and back into it. All of it, again and again. 

To the starboard side another patch, the same frenzy. 

To the port side three other patches, the same. 

Our Humpbacks knew what they were after, straight ahead. Four to five breathing cycles and dive, but not too deep nor too long, again and again, they were on a mission. And, many a good flukes were shown, the cameras of all kinds were a gerrblinking all along the rails. 

And then they were gone. 

We hung off the feeding frenzy, seeminly, of their choice, and we were not disappointed. Our two, were up together in a mighty choreographed lunge, sinking slowly down and then another lunger and another. We could see their mouths full and the baleen on the inside of their rostrum.  Beautiful!!  And again, the cameras of all kinds were a gerrblinking all along the rails. 

Chow time, center channel, off Ventura. I think it's fish on the menu today.

Lunge feeding whales, birds all in a feeding fenzy, it does not get any better that this for whale watching. What a very nice show for the folks.

Satisfied, Rope and her friend wer off to other grounds, and we hung in there to see more, but they had gone. Birds were still at it though, easily five good size patches of feeding frenzies all around.

Captain Mat and crew did their usual fine job. Folks all, were definitely, happy whale watchers.

Thing quieted and we headed back to Santa Barbara.  

Thanks a bunch guys, it was another fine day on the channel.

Ken Tatro

PS -- New England kicked a Field Goal in the overtime, winning by three.  

	Thought you would want to know.






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