[CINC] IP Whale Watching

[Maria G. Ornelas]

Hi Naturalists,

AM Trip:
2 Gray Whales
Pod Common Dolphins (~250)
Ca Sea Lions
Harbor Seals

PM Trip:
2 Grays
Pod Commons (~ 150)
Ca Sea Lions (100's spread out on the rocks, and a group of about 20  
around mid-channel)
Harbor Seals

Crew: Cptn. Lee, Steve and Paige in the galley.
Passengers:  Primarily local. 132 in AM & ~ 130 primarily Amgenites,  
business people in the PM group.

There was a surge of 2-3 feet in the harbor (a.c.t. Cptn. Lee). It was  
very exciting leaving the harbor, with swells of 6-8 feet. We  
encountered a large, widely dispersed  pod of Commons as we were  
headed towards AI. There were many young Commons along their mothers.  
We went East and around Arch Rock to view the sea lions.  All  
passengers were happy, but a family of 4 from Arizona/Utah border were  
esthetic the whole trip. It was around Platform Gina where we  
encountered the 2 Grays heading West. Passengers were very  
appreciative to see and photograph their beautiful flukes before we  
had to get back to the harbor (we were ~ 20 minutes late)

The PM trip was move mellow, and less inquisitive of ocean matters. It  
was after 3 p.m. that we encountered the 2 Grays. They treated us to  
wonderful flukes even though their primarily concern was to keep  
moving west. We followed and stay with them about 30 minutes. Cptn.  
Lee was remarkably accurate in predicting when the whales would  
resurface after their dives  Afterwards, he took us again to East AI,  
around Arch Rock, to view the sea lions, which were more numerous then  
in the AM trip. It was a wonderful day everyone enjoyed.

Maria G. Ornelas
maria at rasnowpeak.com

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