[CINC] El Capitan Outreach-5/26

[paul jr petrich]

Ahoy Volunteers,
 This evening's virtual whale watch outreach at El Capitan State Beach had 109 very appreciative passengers aboard. Power point sightings included many Gray, Blue, and Humpback whales; the latter putting on an acrobatic show to the delight of all aboard!. The 1/3 of the passengers under 12, however, seemed most delighted about the many species of dolphin, including some non-resident Orcas, that seemed to search us out to merely play or show off.  Sightings on the Channel Islands National Park beaches of hundreds Northern Elephant Seals and California Sea Lions also proved exciting. Welcoming us back in the harbor were some lazy harbor seals sunning themselves on a flat dock, however we had the rare treat to see some wayward Sea Otters venturing this side of Point Conception prior to that!
 Virtual seas were calm, and visibility was forever, and we even witnessed a Chumash Tomol crossing to Limuw. Among our passengers was a Chumash descendant who shared with us her participation in welcoming one of the courageous crossing crews. 
 CINC crew members  Shirley Johnson and Bruce Mathews were awesome! Besides displaying the Whale Kit contents to the max, they were kept busy at the end answering all kinds of questions about what we saw, and what could be seen on trips to te CINP. Shirley's story telling of the Chumash Rainbow Bridge legend of creation was a hit!   Capt. Paul
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