[CINC] WW CX 23Dec11

[Kenneth A. Tatro]

Hi folks,

Sightings:
Cetacea -
	Gray			1 
	Risso's Dolphin	100

Pinnipeds -
	Sea Lion		2000 
	Harbor Seal	4-5 

Fish -
	Finless Mola Mola  5-6
		(Sunfish)
Birds - 
	Western Gull
	Brants and Pelagic Cormorants
	Elegant Terns
	Cassin's Auklets

People from -
	Sweden
	San Francisco
	Santa Barbara
	Huston, TX
	Cincinnati, OH

Well, what can we say, it was another beautiful day on the water, calm seas, light winds, and not too cold. Our first sighting of Sea Lions, beyond the harbor buoy, was very different. A raft of about 200 popped up all around the boat much like we see the common dolphin do. All over the place, jumping out of the water and just plane carrying on in a most playful mode. 

Much of the time was spent looking for the Grays, out to Santa Rosa, then into the SCI-SRI gap looping into Becher's Bay, with a nice view of the new pier and ranch buildings.  Rounding toward SCI and well into the gap we came across the Risso's dong their usual synchronized swimming but seven were giving us some nice flukes, with a few jumping lightly out of the water as they progressed. We cruised with them for a good bit, enjoying their presence. 

Near these, still in the gap, about a thousand cormorants sitting on the water, just bobbing there, as if to no purpose other than just sitting there. As we passed them some flew, but most stayed and those that did fly came on around back to and rejoining the rest of the flock.  Then after we were well passed them, the all go up and flew, in a long line heading north.  A beautiful sight to be sure.

Approaching SCI we spotted our first blow, a Gray, most likely a cow as it was quite big. It was moving east through the channel and we got some good looks and a couple of flukes as we cruised with it for some time before it dove and was gone.

Capt. Merit took us into a little cove where some of the Harbor Seals haul out, and where we got our sighting of them.
On and into Painted Cave, with a very low tide, many Ocra Sea Stars were visible along the rocky waterline.

Many thanks to Captain Merit, Matt and Brook doing Crew, and Bob Perry, Condor Charters Photographer for the great trip and good info.

Laura Shelton was my sidekick on this one, with her doing the PID tasks, I giving the initial presentation and both many a good chat with the 24 folks and kids on this run.

We missed the ever intrepid Debbie Shelley who's dog became ill and she could not make it. We will catch you next time, Debbie.

Ken Tatro

	Gentle winds, mellow seas, and always,
	     	… a fresh breath of salty air, ... to ya.