[CINC] Island Packers 7/31

[Dean Benjamin]

Statistics:

Common Dolphins        3000+

Humpbacks                  12 (including 1 calf)

Blues                            1

Bald Eagle                    1

 

What a wonderful day at sea.  This is why we do this.  Seas were flat as can
be, no wind, just a bit of fog that lingered through most of the day.
Passengers from Israel, Germany, England (here to avoid the Olympic crowds),
Texas, and California treated to a cornucopia of wildlife, geology, and
history.

 

This was most interesting because while we saw one very large pod of common
dolphins (2,500), there were dolphins in view almost the entire way across
to Santa Rosa Passage.  Once there, the Humpbacks were abundant although
there were no dramatic displays.  Two did surface close to the boat.  The
Blue surfaced a couple of times and then was gone.

 

Captain Lee then took us on a cruise along the north side of Santa Cruz and
well into the Painted Cave.  Jean (with the eyes of an eagle) spotted a bald
eagle perched on a cliff at Cueva Valdez and Capt. Lee took us back for a
closer look.  Then on to Pelican, Prisoners and finally a lovely channel
crossing back to Ventura.

 

Thanks to a great crew, including Captain Lee, Jean, Luke, and Joanna
Guttman Naturalist.

 

Dean Benjamin

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