[CINC] CX 12/23/12

[Ken Macdonald]

9 Orcas
2 gray whales
9 Rissos dolphins
4 Dall's porpoises
500 common dolphin (minus 2 or more, see below)

Capt Anthony, Matt, Tosha
Naturalists Ken and Leeza

The skies were gray with a few spits of rain, but we had a quorum (from
Italy, Germany, Oregon and CA) to head out.  Saw about 300 commons early,
then 4 Dall's porpoises.  About 2 miles north of the west end of Santa Cruz
Is we found 2 mother/calf pairs of Orcas.  In a few minutes, one of the
adults had a sea lion in its jaws.  It passed it off to the calves several
times, perhaps teaching them how to hunt, before consuming it.  The water
was deep red. Several more orcas appeared.  Then Capt Anthony saw our second
large pod of about 200 common dolphins approaching.  The ~9 killer whales
took off at flank speed intercepting the leading edge of the dolphin pod,
scattering it in many directions.  At least 2 dolphin were captured and
probably more, one clearly seen close to the boat with the dolphin crosswise
in the jaws of an orca.  The drama continued for an hour with more hunting
lessons before we departed, thrilled but also somewhat emotionally
exhausted.  We moved to within 1/2 mile of the west end of Santa Cruz were
we saw 2 gray whales heading south. A mile east of there, saw 9 Rissos
dolphins up close, some almost entirely a ghostly white.
  It was like a day on the Serengeti where 35 years ago I saw a lion take
down a wildebeest.
I am now going to sit down and have a calming beverage!



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