[CINC] Today aboard the CX

[Dick Bellman]

Today was another typical, although gray and gloomy day in the SB Channel.
Today's sightings included:

   - 3 Bottlenose Dolphins
   - 400 Common Dolphins
   - 6 Humpbacks (with more in the vicinity)
   - 4 Blue Whales (with more in the vicinity)
   - 1 Northern Right Whale Dolphin



            In addition to people from the US and Canada there were three
additional continents represented including guests from Germany, Italy,
Switzerland, France, Senegal, Singapore, and Ireland.  It was a regular
United Nations of whale watching.  Today was typical of what most of us
have been experiencing except for the fact that the marine layer never
lifted and we only saw Santa Cruz when we approached for the journey into
Painted Cave.   As with most trips the passengers were afforded some
excellent views, especially when the 4 Humpbacks surfaced almost directly
next to the boat.

            My statement that I always make to passengers, "part of the
excitement is that you never know what you might see" rang true for me as
well as fellow naturalist Larry Harris.  As we were streaming away from our
first encounter with common dolphins Larry and I looked back and saw a
dark, sleek, dorsal fin-less creature among the commons.  It was something
that was brand new to both of us.  I consulted with Captain Dave who
confirmed that what I described was a Northern Right Whale Dolphin.
Unfortunately at this time it was nowhere to be seen.  Subsequent research
again confirmed this sighting.  So, I was able to add another notch to my
marine mammal species list.  Needless to say that was an exciting
sighting.

            We also saw, off in the distance, our good friend John
Calambokidis who was doing research on whales within the vicinity of the
shipping lanes.

            In addition to the aforementioned Larry Harris, Hal Altman was
also on board doing PID.  At the helm was the rock solid Captain Dave with
Brooke in the galley and Matt on deck.  Yes, it was another great day in
the channel.



Dick Bellman
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