[CINC] CX Whale watching Sunday 5/22/11

[Maria G. Ornelas]

Hi Naturalists,

4 Blue whales
1 Humpback
~ 2000 - 2500 Common dolphins
~20 Pacific white-sided dolphins
Many small groups of California Sea lions
84 passengers
Crew: Cptn. Dave, wife Cathy, Dennis
CINC: Dino Dal Bon (PID), Ken Tatro, Maria Ornelas


Captain Dave and crew, as reliable as ever, arranged the presence of the noted marine life. Countries represented among the passengers were: U.S. Germany, India, France, Holland, Sweden, and others. It was a most exciting day, with scattered groups of sea lions. All Blues and the Humpback were encountered/sighted East of SCI. The first one was moving slowly, feeding just under the surface. We could hear her/his exhalation and see the length of its massive body as it started his dives, but without lifting its tail. It was a spectacular sight all the same. We stayed with him for a few diving cycles and enjoyed seeing the white-sided dolphins "play? = share food" with this whale. One of the tiny dolphins slid across the huge whale, to everyone's delight. The second Blue was was swimming with a purpose and launched powerfully, thus increasing its speed. We followed for a while. Dave then treated us by riding along SCI, many passengers were clicking away. Today's was a bumpy trip (a few nauseous people, myself included), maybe a Beaufort of ~ 4-5. A true privilege to bear witness today out in the Channel.

Maria G. Ornelas
maria at rasnowpeak.com

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