[CINC] CX report from Tuesday 5/24/11

[Sally Eagle]

Hello Naturalists,

4 Humpbacks

Numerous sea lions on buoys

Shearwaters

Western Gulls

One fat seal 




Captain Dave at the wheel with Dennis and Brooke as crew. Naturalists aboard included Valerie Olson, Bill Wakelee and Sally Eagle on PID. Wind was an initial concern but the ocean cooperated. 


Our first encounter about five miles south was a Humpback traveling solo, feeding deep enough to display full flukes numerous times, and giving us a wonderful view of the ventral side which was very dark with little pigmentation. We stayed to watch for approximately 45 minutes before Captain Dave took us out to the eastern end off Santa Cruz Island. Numerous Shearwaters indicated a pair of Humpbacks surface feeding. Early on, one Humpback displayed her flukes virtually in slow motion and we were able to identify her "hemispheric lobe". Both Sally and Valerie called simultaneously "FEMALE!" All aboard were happy to know we definitely had a female Humpback for a companion! We were also treated to lunge feeding techniques and some beautiful synchronized swimming. At one point the Humpbacks rolled onto their side to feed and we were able to see half of the tail gliding through the water like a tall fin. Plenty of vocalization took place between the pair. These two were then joined by a third Humpback who continued to surface feed with them. A few pec slaps were thrown in, to the delight of all on board. The water was unusually clear and we were able to witness the beautiful but eerie greenish glow of white on both the pec fins and tail under the water. This made it easy to track their movements. A very friendly sea lion followed the slowed boat to jump through the stern waves, with many passengers taking pictures of his playful behavior. With the wind intensifying and already one very ill passenger, the remaining few miles to Santa Cruz were forfeited and the return trip home was pleasant with very happy passengers. Also noted was the presence of three large ships using the mainland side of the channel as their shipping lane. 


Upon our return to the harbor, we were greeted by one very fat seal taking a snooze on the bait barge.


Passengers on board hailed from Liverpool and London, England; Vienna, Austria; Capetown, South Africa; Phoenix, AZ, Roswell, New Mexico; North Carolina. 


I had a wonderful time and want to thank Sally, Valerie and Bill for being so supportive on my evaluation trip today. I can't wait for my next trip out!


Signed, 

"one excited newby" 

Tina Armbruster Stephens
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.rain.org/pipermail/channel_islands_naturalist_corps/attachments/20110525/061bae0b/attachment.html>