[CINC] Whale watching Sunday Oct. 23

[maria ornelas]

Hi Naturalists,
														Note:  This is my second attempt to send to RAIN. Please excuse if you receive a second report

Here's the final scorecard from Bob Perry:
6 Humpback Whales
3 Minke Whales
800 Common Dolphins
500 California Sea Lions

Additionally:
Countless Pelicans, Cormorants, Grebes, Sea Gulls,
Captain Dave + crew (Dennis, Brooke). Naturalists: Maria Ornelas, Mary Bucholtz, and Eileen Avery on PID
> 30 national and international passengers (Germany, UK, Sweden, Indiana, Virginia, San Francisco, among others

Today's story (Sunday):
	We left the SB Harbor blanketed in heavy, thick fog. A few Western Grebes and sea lions saw us leave the harbor.  Visibility improved as we got into the Channel. We encountered
a small, dispersed pod of Common Dolphins. It was great fun to see mother and baby swimming side by side, riding the bow. The people really enjoyed seeing dolphins, including the two 
second graders, Kyle and Eden. The greatest show started around 11:30 a.m., when a substantial group of pelicans, sea lions, and cormorants, congregated on the water surface. 
A shy Minke whale showed itself, and promptly disappeared. 5 minutes later Capt. Dave spotted the first Humpback about a mile away. We watched it for a while, until Capt. saw in the distance 
an even bigger feeding congregation, which included a number of Humpback and Minke whales. They were feeding along with countless gulls, cormorants, sea lions, and Common Dolphins. 
About 20 minutes later, the 1st Humpback, which we left behind, had joined this group. It was an incredible experience being in this area. 

	There were at least 3 major feeding frenzies, with pelicans and cormorants diving constantly, Sea Gulls perched on the surface of the water eating. Sea Lions in the hundreds, Minke whales, and the great Humpbacks launched feeding, in pairs,  <  70 feet away. At one point, a Humpback dove under the boat < 25 feet from our boat, we were astounded to see the top of its huge tail, as he was diving under the boat, following a"ball" of schooling fish, either mackerel or anchovies, or both. Cameras and i-phones were clicking away. Most of the passengers had never seen a whale in the wild, so this spectacle was super special for them. As for us old Naturalists, we seem to keep on saying, "It just doesn't get any better", but today's experience has pleasantly proven us wrong, yet once again. And yet once again, we thank the CX and their highly competent Captains and crew, for the privilege of having us aboard.

Maria G. Ornelas
Maria G. Ornelas
maria at rasnowpeak.com

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