[CINC] IPCO to San Miguel-10/15

[paul jr petrich]

Island and Ocean People,
 Fantastic day: Out and Back-and On San Miguel yesterday!
 I shadowed Diane Rennel on the caliche forest hike and Enge Rose took half of our 46 passengers toward Harris Point. The slightly overcast day without wind was perfect for a fast shirtsleeve outing. 
  
The trip over was spotted with two different sighting of active Common Dolphin pods of about 100, and a very active pod of 30 Risso's Dolphin. Cuyler Harbor was like a lake and no one got there feet wet during the ferrying, except for Paige, Steve, Luke, and Daniel who did masterful landings. The sun came out by the time both hikes got back to the beach, and many enjoyed a quick dip in the quite bay. I would have as well, if I were not in uniform!. One brave sole snorkeled. Two kayaked. The Park fox biologist for SMI , Jennifer Savage, informed Diane and myself that the fox on the island are probably at there pre-crash numbers and doing very well, however, we did not see any.

 Captain Dave was a Master Mariner and a wealth of knowledge on the way home. He first took us to witness hundreds of hauled out sea lions and Elephant Seals in Simanton Cove. Then he gave us a narrated tour of the north shore of Santa Rosa Island and then of Santa Cruz Island to mid island. The highlight which ended in a spontaneous applause from all aboard, was his masterful navigation way, way into Painted Cave at a near minus tide. Again we were treated to entertaining common dolphin on the way home.  This was a fantastic end to the SMI season!  Paul