[CINC] Condor Express 5/10

[Dick Bellman]

The bottom line for today's trip was:
     1200 Common Dolphins (or thereabouts)
     12 Humpbacks

There was a considerable WOW FACTOR associated with today's sightings.
 Departing SB Harbor there was quite a bit of fog to the west.
 Unfortunately this was where the Humpbacks were the day before.  Captain
Mat made the decision to head to the east.  He had received word that there
were Humpbacks in that direction as well.  After clearing the fog and in
sight of the island, Mat slowed the boat and went up to the fly bridge.
 Almost immediately the PA announced, "thar she blows."  The 1st two whales
were off of Potato Harbor.  One more showed up giving us a total of 3.
 There were more spouts visible to the east. Moving further east we
encountered 2 more Humpbacks.  Almost immediately there was an amazing
breach directly in front of the boat.  Looked like a Pacific Life
commercial.  Shortly thereafter 3 more joined up behind the boat.  There
were good looks aplenty.

Mat next moved the boat to the north in search of whales feeding on the
surface.  We were not disappointed.  First 2 lunge feeding at the surface
and then another showed up.  Passengers were given some great looks at
lunge feeding.  Krill was readily apparent in the water.

Mat wanted to get closer to Santa Cruz but our trip towards the island was
interrupted by a very large and playful group of common dolphins.  Alas, it
was now time to begin our return trip to the harbor and Mat does a course
correction because he saw a large breach in the distance.  Sure enough
there were 2 Humpbacks very actively lunge feeding which gave more
incredible looks at their feeding behavior.  Again, krill was plentiful on
the surface.  As Mat was ready to continue back to the harbor, he told the
passengers to still keep an eye out, and no sooner were the words out of
his mouth then one humpback gave a thunderous tail lob which was a fitting
end to an incredible day.

Don Gillies was extremely busy on PID.  Thanks, Captain Mat for a masterful
job.  Mat was ably assisted by Dennis on deck and Matt in the galley.

Dick Bellman
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