[CINC] Wednesday July 6,2011

[George Moore]

AlohaNaturalists,
Todaywas a wonderful day on the channel, we departed the dock on the Condor Expresswith Capt Dave and crew a little after 10:00 am. We had a birder whoimmediately got excited at pelicans, cormorants, herons, gulls and assortedbirds right at the harbor entrance. 
SeaLions on the buoy and in the water were pointed out by Capt Dave and within 20minutes we were surrounded by 200-250 Long Beaked Common Dolphin, mostlyfeeding but some wake riding. Passengers from France,Belgium, Colorado,Texas, Santa Barbara,and Venturaenjoyed about 20 minutes of Dolphin viewing. 
Weheaded west to the location where whales were last spotted on a kindly swellwith beautiful sunny skies. About 12:20 Capt. Dave spotted a large Mola Molaand spun around to take a look, we cruised by him a couple of times withpassengers going from rail to rail to get a look but he stayed just under thesurface most of the time.  
Wewent almost to Santa Rosa Isl. but still no whales so we made an easy turntoward Santa Cruz Isl.  Everyone marveledat Painted Cave as Capt Dave nosed way insidebefore  backing out just as about 10kayaks came around the corner toward the entrance. The colorful kayaks and theisland had the cameras clicking.
Headingtoward home Capt. Dave got a clear sighting of a Minke Whale which he followedand we all got a treat seeing it several times and fairly close up.
Agreat day on the water with my fellow CINC Naturalists and friends Marta Alvarez and John Kuizenga on PID.
GeorgeMoore
 
50-100- Cal. Sea Lions
200-250- Long Beaked Common Dolphin
1– Common Minke Whale
1– Common Mola
SootyShearwater, Cormorants, Herons, Pelicans, Gulls, and our birder thought he sawa Bald Eagle


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