[CINC] Today on IPCO Whale Watch - August 16, 2011

[Rose Messina]

Sightings:  	5 Blues, including a cow/calf pair
			24 breaching Mola Molas
			2400 Common Dolphins
			1 Black-footed Albatross
			Sooty Shearwaters

Sighted and Rescued:  2 mylar balloons, Score:  2 for the  
environment, 0 for the balloons

We headed west in overcast skies looking for whales.  Accompanying us  
on our search were a couple of pods of dolphins, numbering about 2000  
in all, and breaching Mola Molas!  What a sight!  We continued west  
beyond San Miguel and turned with the seas so we could approach the  
spouts ahead in comfort.  We saw several Blues, including a mother  
and calf.  Most whales kept their distance, one stayed on the surface  
feeding to give everyone a longer look.

We returned via Painted Cave.  The passengers were awed by Captain  
Lee's commentary and skill maneuvering the boat; they couldn't stop  
talking about it!

And to top that, we returned close to Santa Cruz with Captain Lee  
giving a running commentary about the geology, plants and history of  
the island, with specific comments about each anchorage as we  
passed.  We headed home after visiting Pelican with a boatload of  
awed passengers from Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, Israel,  
Belgium, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Washington and southern  
California.

Thanks to Captain Lee, Zac and Jean for an incredible experience.

Rose Messina, Tina Armbruster