[CINC] Today on the Condor Express - October 22, 2011

[Rose Messina]

Sightings:		2 Humpacks
			3 Minkes
			500 Common Dolphins
			500 Sea Lions

We were completely socked in as we left the harbor on calm seas.   
Most people had gone below after Tamara's presentation to take refuge  
from the wet and cold.  We spotted a couple of small pods of dolphins  
on the way out, enough to get people out on deck and excited, but  
then the crowd retreated to the warm, dry boat fortified by hot  
drinks and food.  Captain Mat called out a Minke and a humpback and  
the people exited as if it was a fire drill.  We were not  
disappointed.  Two humpbacks (one of them "Rope" who is frequently  
mentioned in these write-ups) were surface lunge feeding for well  
over an hour.  They moved  from place to place followed by dolphins,  
sea lion, and birds. The pelicans were particularly spectacular as  
they dove from above, wings pulled back for splash-free dives.  All  
passengers were on deck for the entire time.  What a show!

Passengers were from England, Germany, Ukraine, The Dominican  
Republic, Georgia, North Dakota, Sacramento, Orange and Los Angeles.

Thanks to Captains Mat and Dave, and Dennis.

Rose Messina, Tamara Thompson