[CINC] 5/19/12 CINC report, wow!

[Ken Macdonald]

8 Blues
31 humpbacks including one cow/calf pair
200 sea lions on the move
 
After a pounding ride crossing the fog-enshrouded shipping channel, we broke
into the sun to see big patches of krill at the surface for many acres (near
the west end of Santa Cruz Is.).  Two threesomes of humpbacks showed up
right away and lots of other spouts could be seen in the distance.  Soon we
were surrounded by humpbacks working in groups lunge feeding, tail lobbing,
pectoral fin slapping, trumpeting, and a couple of big breaches off in the
distance; a truly amazing show.  Lots of sooty shearwaters and redneck
phalaropes were hitting the krill too.  We left the humpbacks to follow some
big spouts, blues?  They sure were, and we saw 8 up close and more in the
distance with their signature fire hydrant spouts.  The ones close in were
gulping down hapless krill by the ton.  Saw a few more humpbacks too.
Thought we saw a big pod of dolphins in the distance but it turned out to be
a big group of about 200 sea lions on the move, arcing out of the water
which was what initially made them look like dolphins in the distance.
We had about 35 passengers from all over, the furthest traveled being a
gentleman from Australia.  Everyone was in awe after this EPIC  show!
 
Bravo! to Capts Mat and Dave and Matt in the galley
Dino was the other naturalist and Carol was PID.
 
Ken Macdonald


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