[CINC] Condor 1-7-11

[garydel at aol.com]

Facts:

2500 commons
2 grays
8 orcas
250 rissos
gazilllion birds

I'm not kidding here! Rather a good day out there on the pond! By 1100, Capts. Matt and Dave had the Condor in the midst of a HUGE feeding frenzy replete with the commons, birds, sea lions. Passing through that, the Condor headed to the Santa Cruz-Santa Rosa notch. Spouts were sighted at about a mile off... 2 grays. At about this time, a call came in about Orcas in the area. The Condor changed course as the 2 grays fluked. Within 10 minutes the 26 passengers were face to face with a pod of 8 transient Orcas, including a baby. These guys hung out with the Condor for about an hour behaving more like friendly humpbacks. Tail slapping, spy hopping, possible mating behavior, mini-breaching, mugging. They were often directly under the bow, swimming upside down, squeaking (how can something called a "Killer" squeak??), bubbling. What a treat! Upon leaving them, the Condor headed for Painted cave and entered an area thick with Rissos and birds. Another great look at the largest pod of Rissos I have seen! There was too much surge to get into the cave, but the waterfalls were still flowing and clearly visible. Then, time to go home.

A very delightful crowd from much colder areas around the world: Denmark, Germany, England, New Hampshire, Kansas, Utah. Seas were Beaufort of 1, widely spaced swells of 4-6 feet, no wind. Oh yes... a friendly blue shark too was seen by all in the clear water.

Nice... very nice!

Gary Delanoeye

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