[CINC] IPCO Islander 8/1/13

[Linda Hitt]

2 Blues
50 offshore Bottlenose Dolphins
1 Minke    
1000 or so Common Dolphins- several pods
 
Another great day on the water!   We found the first Common Dolphin pod shortly after leaving the harbor.  The Bottlenose came a little while later, followed by our first Blue Whale, and then another Blue.  Both Blues today had long 12 minute dive cycles.  As we idled both Blues seemed very comfortable with the boat & swam very close across the bow & stern.  All aboard were treated to great views.  Both Blues were north of mid Santa Cruz, close to the shipping lanes.  After a deep journey into Painted Cave & a cruise along the northern coast of SCI we headed back across the channel.  The Minke was spotted close to home in the middle of a feeding frenzy (one of several for the day).  It surprisingly showed itself a number of times so most passengers were able to see it & remark on how much smaller it was.  Bonne Brown was with us today to enjoy her CINC activity instead of being busy with IPCO phones & counter.     
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