[CINC] Condor Express - June 13

[Dick Bellman]

The bottom line on what was a rather lumpy day in the west channel
     3 Humpbacks, including a cow calf pair
    1200 Common Dolphins

The weather forecast for the west channel was rather foreboding and Captain
Dave warned people prior to boarding the boat that it could be rough.  He
failed to dissuade anyone, including a contingent from a local retirement
home.  All 40 or so passengers ignored his warning and came aboard.
 Captain Dave hoped to get to the feeding grounds before the winds and sea
kicked up and for the most part he was successful.   We encountered a
solitary Humpback off the west end of Santa Cruz and were provided with
some good looks as it spent quite a bit of time at the surface.  We left
and worked our way out towards Santa Rosa we we encountered a Humpback cow
calf pair.  Despite the fact that the seas and wind were building we were
rewarded with excellent looks at this pair.  At one point the calf did a
full on breach which delighted the entire crowd.  Sea conditions did not
afford us an opportunity to take a look into Painted Cave.  However, on the
return trip to the harbor we encountered a large and very playful group of
common dolphins.  Possibly the highlight of the entire day was a single
California Sea Lion who performed for quite some time while the cow calf
pair were on a down cycle.  He had the entire boat laughing at his antics
off our stern.

Kudos to Captain Dave for his stellar effort in locating whales in rather
challenging sea conditions.  He was assisted by crew member Dennis with
Matt in the galley.  Also on board was naturalist Deb Clark who provided
expert assistance to the group from the local retirement home.  On PID was
 Marilyn Dannehower.

Dick Bellman
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