[CINC] Condor Express Wednesday 7/18

[Laura Shelton]

Sightings:
20 Humpbacks
4 Blue Whales (including the always "side- fluking" blue whale and "male/female" pair that have been observed a lot of late according to Capt Mat
1500 Common Dolphins

Highlights:  
Where to start!!  So many highlights for an enthusiastic boat of around 100 passengers!  
Capt Mat saw many many spouts before the rest of us. We all noticed the distant tail lobbing and breaching on a calm beaufort 1 day with a 1 foot swell. We were at the west end of Santa Cruz (and north of the island)... 
"34 08 N and 119 53 W" yet again, said Capt Mat!
We were in the middle of many humpbacks quickly...Then the "behaviors" got up close!!  Textbook demonstration of all the behaviors!!
Breaching up close--Fully out of the water by a 50ft large humpback!! Quite close to the boat and surprised us all. 
Approached "by 11 humpbacks at the same time," said Capt Mat while Cubby added, "there was a blue whale right off the bow as well!!"
Pec Slapping, Tail Throws Tail lobbing Tail slapping, Spyhops, Whales rolling on their side all around the boat. Various rounds of surrounded by whales. Another breach by another adult. 

An adult whale came up and "spyhopped' right by a lone young 10 year old who already volunteers at the Sea Center who realized instantly where to meet the whale!!  What have I forgotten? A continuation of many great days!!

Close looks at the pair of blue whales were much appreciated as well!!

Dolphins within the humpbacks, a large group of over a thousand on the way back...just a stellar day where all of us- felt so amazingly amazingly lucky...I heard this from crew, CINC folks and passengers alike!!

Crew:
Capt Mat
Dennis
Brooke

CINC
Cubby
Ginny
Laura (PID) 

Have a great week!!
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