[CINC] IPCO Adventurer 2/11/2012

[Kevin Bailey]

What started as windy became windy and more with 25 knot winds and 6-8 waves

Passengers saw 2 Grays heading north (a mama and baby maybe a year or 2 old
- not this year's calf) pretty early on about 1/3 of the way to the islands

Shortly after the Grays we saw about 50 commons but the waves were too high
for great looks and they didn't even come near the boat

With the chop getting heavier we headed toward E. AI and cruised around the
arch for several photogenic moments and then along the south side where it
was a bit calmer and we saw 

sea lions by the zillions in their rookeries

Hundreds Surf Scoters in little groups for several hundred yards along the
back side of AI - there are such cool looking birds with that distinctive
head and colorful beak!

Lots of Pelicans resting on the cliffs

Lots of Western Gulls sitting in water, flying over the island and prepping
for the busy season

Several groups of Brandt's Cormorants sitting in tight groups on the back
sit of AI (probably close to each for wind shelter)

Right before we turned the corner at the SCI/AI gap we saw a few Risso's but
they too were a quick glance - white bodies in a lot of white water is not
easy to see

The passengers cheered when we saw the multiple blows of the mom/calf and
then again when we were safely in the harbor

Thanks to Capt Jimmy for keeping us all safe along with Laurie and Steve

Kevin Bailey

 

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