[CINC] Grays in the channel

[Catherine French]

Had an opportunity to take Sea Scouts whale watching on Saturday. Found first gray one mile north of platform Gail. Watched for three cycles, flukes with each dive. I was ready to turn east to search for more when the gray popped up fifty feet to starboard, looked at us as it rose. We saw the entire whale! The kids were thrilled. Vanguard had shown up to view the whale, so I turned off. Found common dolphins, about 200, then sours near arch rock. Headed toward AI but found two more on the way, they were shy. So headed to east end AI and found two more swimming and spouting in tandem. After several cycles, we needed to head home. As we turned toward Channel Islands Harbor, one of the two grays rose to the surface turned sideways and looked at us. 

We found a blue shark at the surface and more commons as we headed home.

Sunday, January 8 on ESCI saw fine grays from Cavern Point, found 700 commons on way home. Did not locate the Ocas Jason had told us he found on Vanguard. I did see a large spout and told Capt. Dave on the Islander, but we were running late for the dock. I saw many spouts all over on both days, and everyone on SCI saw the grays from the island.

Get out there.

Calm seas,

Catherine French

Writer, naturalist
Cfrench1366 at aol.com
805.570.0432

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