[CINC] Condor Express 3/3/11

[Don Gillies]

The Condor Express did only the noon trip March 3 on a cool, partly cloudy day with calm seas.  Capt. Matt headed up the coast with 25 passengers from all over the map.  We did find a small pod of Common Dolphins just out of the harbor with a large flock of cormorants and gulls.  Further along the coast 3 Bottlenose Dolphins joined us for a short time.  No whales were seen so Capt. Matt turned offshore near Platform Holly and followed the 100 fathom line back east.  Nothing was sighted until we were just south of the 4 platforms where 3 spouts were seen.  They were grays but were spread out so that we followed one who was co-operative and did tail fluke for us.  Also about 30 Common Dolphins swam by to the delight of the passengers.  We were about 20 minutes late getting in but the passengers were pleased that whales were finally seen.  Cubby Winkel and Marty Garey were the naturalists and did their usual fine job.  I was photo ID and not very busy but enjoyed the fresh air, smooth seas and happy passengers.

Don Gillies
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