[CINC] CX Monday 12/31 New Year's Eve

[Mr Zalophus]

Colleagues,

Once again the mighty Condor Express sailed out  towards the West End of
Santa Cruz Island and found an abundance of southbound gray whales without
the privilege of having one single CINC naturalist on board. Our
passengers enjoyed close looks at at least a dozen grays, with many more
spouts all around us visible due to the spectacularly clear skies and ample
visibility.  It was so clear you could see all the way from Boney Mountain
(western end of the Santa Monica Mtns) to Pt Conception, and all four
Channel Islands in between.  The first two whales were only 4 miles south
of SB Harbor and were frolicing around, perhaps engaged in some mating or
at least foreplay.  Other whales were in groups of two also, and the high
point of the trip was a breaching gray whale a bit distant from the boat,
but framed by the majestic sea cliffs of the north west face of the
island.  Despite several large feeding aggregations of sea birds and sea
lions, no dolphins were observed.

I'll post the photos from today's trip sometime tomorrow before the Rose
Bowl game.

Happy New Year to all !!

Bob Perry
Condor Express
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