[CINC] Frolicking humpbacks AI & MORE...

[Joel E. Justin]

I was on Anacapa just coming back from Inspiration Point after leading 46 people on a hike when out of the corner of my eye I saw a HUGE splash. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing right away, but them I saw the blow and arched back. Then nothing for a couple of minutes. I was still walking but watching to my left when I saw the ENTIRE full body breach of a Humpback. It must have been about 10 minutes before Dennis’ reporting of the pec clapping. Fortunately there were about 20 of the 74 day visitors near me and most of them saw it too. Then as we were walking on the south side by the cistern, we saw the synchronized pec slapping of the 2 Humpies. They would stop and blow for a few minutes, then start the pec slapping again. They were moving pretty quickly to the east so it wasn’t long before they were out of my sight. When I got back to the VC, most everyone there witnessed the spectacle as well. I don’t often see whales from the islands, and to see something like this was a real treat.

The Giant Coreopsis are pretty much at full bloom. So is the Fern Leaf phacelia and the Goldfields. Yarrow and paintbush are also beginning to bloom. And of course Northern Island Morning Glory, Sand Spurrey, Malva Rosa and our ever decreasing population of iceplant.

Yesterday’s landing was pretty iffy. In fact, I was pretty certain Jason would call it a no go. But he expertly backed the Vanguard up to the landing and got all 46 people safely off the boat. Jason makes it look SOOOO easy. Everyone yesterday was treated to a view of a Burrowing owl in one of the high cliff caves in the landing cove. He was there this morning and this afternoon as well. Keep an eye out for it as you approach the top of the stairs and as you walk along the upper landing towards the crane. Binoculars will help. So will a long lens for photographs. They’re beautiful creatures.

It was a treat to spend the weekend with Helen Fitting who’s a terrestrial vertebrate biologist at CINP. Saturday afternoon I got to go with her to look for the Island Slender salamanders. We found three which was a first for me. Always exciting to “meet” new endemics!

It was overcast with no wind on Saturday and perfectly clear with a nice NW breeze today. In all, a wonderful weekend on one of my favorite islands.

If anyone would like a photo of the Burrowing owl and/or the Island Slender salamander, let me know and I’ll email you copies. They are too large to post to the rain list.

Joel...



From: Dennis Carlson 
Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2011 2:17 PM
To: Rain List 
Subject: [CINC] Frolicking humpbacks AI

Sunday 3/27  at 1400 four humpbacks were pec slapping for about 30 minutes just off Arch rock at Anacapa.  What a great way to welcome the end of winter.

Dennis Carlson



 
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