[CINC] Condor X 3/18/11

[Paul Jr. Petrich]

   At 9 a.m. Captain Dave took 53 passengers on the Condor X straight south to mid channel where we found 5 Humpbacks, after being entertained by a pod of 30 Dall's Porpoise half way out. That was one porpoise for each of our 30 students and teachers from the Open Alternative School in Santa Barbara, and the Dall's put on a long bow riding show for them. Our other passengers were mostly from California, and one couple came from Germany. The last sighting of the day included 4 Humpbacks who showed a lot of flukes for PID volunteer Don Shubert as they kept a constant feeding pattern going with shallow dives.   Captain Dave took the 38 passengers on the noon trip straight out to the same 4 feeding Humpbacks who kept up their uninterrupted feeding and fluking frenzy. Most of our noon passengers were from out of state, with a lot of foreign tourists as well. The latter came from European countries. Captain Dave spotted 4 northbound Gray whales 2 miles closer in to the mainland, and took us to a great viewing of their opposite, but equally determined, behavior bent on smoothly cruising through increasingly active ahead on swells, rather than feeding. Captain Dave described them as a mating pod. No calves, and one was almost white because it was covered with so many lice and barnacles.  Some spray began to reach the top even deck, but crew members Dennis and Amilia kept everyone dry by guiding everyone to to the dry side of the boat. Few got sea sick, and both boat loads of passengers disembarked feeling they had a great whale watching Day. So did, myself, Don, and Valerie Olson, who had ample opportunity to use her very expertly made info and photo cards kept in the Condor whale kit. Yours Truly, Paul
  		 	   		  
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