[CINC] IPCO Whale-watching April 3

[Maria G. Ornelas]

Hi Naturalists,

A.M. Trip:

~ 200 - 300 Common Dolphins
119 passengers
Staff: Cptn. Mike, Dave, Jackson. Naturalist: Maria Ornelas

It was a lovely, breezy day. No Bottle-nose Dolphins at the entrance  
to the harbor, but we did see a lone Sea Lion perched on a buoy. Among  
the passengers, there was a group of 38 Juniors & Seniors from  
Viewmont High School in Utah. To everyone's delight, we encountered  
the Common Dolphins just twenty minutes out of the harbor. It was a  
good way to start the day but unfortunately, it didn't get any better  
in terms of finding whales or more dolphins.
Captain Mike took us to Frenchy's Cove, on the South side of West  
Anacapa. We got close enough to the intertidal zone to observe the  
colorful marine algae, large mussel beds, aggregate anemones, limpets,  
barnacles, Ochre sea stars, and more. Most passengers perk up as we  
stared going around Arch Rock to observe the Sea Lions spread out on  
the rocks. Passengers were happy to have seen the dolphins and AI up  
close and personal.

P.M. Trip:

~ 250 - 300 Common Dolphins
129 passengers
Feeding frenzy of dolphins, sea lions, and sea birds
Staff: same as A.M. trip

The P.M. was as good as the A.M.,  albeit  windier and colder. The  
boat was a bit fuller, Many passengers were locals, but also some East  
European, folks from India, and Persian people. An Asian couple with a  
little girl of 5 years of age, and another one on the way. The mother  
was really sea sick from her pregnancy and the rocking of the boat.  
She had no choice but to endure.  Cptn. Mike took us to the South side  
of Anacapa to view the sea lions. We did not encircled the Island.  
This time, Mike took the boat further West of AI. It is there that we  
encountered the feeding frenzy. On board, there was also a frenzy of  
taking pictures. We headed back to the harbor in a very relaxed,  
satisfied, resigned? (at not seeing whales) mood, but as the  
passengers got off the boat, one could tell they have had a great  
time. The mom-to-be was feeling a bit better.

Maria G. Ornelas
maria at rasnowpeak.com

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