[CINC] WW CX Sunday, 19Aug'13

[Kenneth A. Tatro]

Hi folks, 

1 Minke
3 Humpbacks, including a Cow/Calf Pair
2000 Common Dolphins  across the day.

CA Brown Pelicans
Sooty Shearwaters
Cormorants
Osprey (on top of a mast in the SB Harbor)
Least Terns

A good day to start, with sunshine in the morning. Capt. Dave let the folks know that we were going east, as that is where we knew Humpbacks and Minkes have been in the recent days. The Blues had moved west on past San Miguel Island, so we would not be visiting the islands today.

So off we went, east, and it was not too long before we came on a couple of common dolphins, and I mean just a couple, maybe 6-8 total in this very small pod.

The dolphins were here and there along the way, groups getting a little larger each time. 

Soon we encountered the Minke. This one was not as shy as their reputation has it, and hung around for a good bit, much to the guests delight. It even came fairly close to the Condor giving the folks some rally good looks.

On east for a time and we came on a lone Humpback that was on a mission heading west. I would not say it was fast moving but it was definitely determined and doing so at a pretty good steady clip. Turning to follow, we soon realized, it was not interested in us at all. Interesting, as it gave a nice tail fluke very seldom along the way, staying very near the surface so no need to do the deep dive. But there were a few, and the folks got some nice photos of the ones offered.

Soon this guy slowed down, turning north toward shore and began feeding. Some birds were about but not many, yet our Humpback was lounging around as if it had come across something nice. Here we got some decent tail flukes as it would diver much more often, basically in this same area. 

On east, again, to find more, and not too long we came on more Common Dolphins, this time a decent size pod of very active dolphins, much to the folk's delight and cameras were a hummin.'

Next, our Cow/Calf pair and a nice pair it was. The youngster was not that young as it seemed to have some scaring on it's flank and back, so Capt. Dave estimated it to be a little more than a year. The Mom was quite content to let the youngster be on the boat side of her, giving the folks some very nice looks of the calf, and the two together. Mom gave us many nice flukes, and the little one tried on several occasions, but still was not able to flip that tail up just yet. It did get it out of the water toward the end of our visit, but just a bit, and just horizontal with the water, no showing the bottom side.

These two were very near a rather wide area feeding frenzy, as the birds were definitely scarfing up. All listed birds here (except the Osprey) we on it. And what a show the pelicans put on, diving again, again, again, again, and again. Many would dive, gulp down it's prey, take off and right away, dive again. It almost seemed like it was raining pelicans. Nice, to say the least. 

Heading home we encountered two large pods of very active Common Dolphins, moving from here to there, many getting good air along the way, some even dong full breaches and flopping back into the water. As usual, babies galore, and cameras a hummin.' 

We had a full crowd of folk from all over, two families from France, one from Germany, another from Long Island, NY, a Naturalist from Arkansas, many locals, from Ojai, Carpinteria, and a couple in all the way from Santa Barbara.

Captain Dave was right on with his prediction of where the whales were, with crew of Cassidy and Tasha, taking care of the folks and galley. Condor Staff Photographer Bob Perry was at it with is fine equipment as usual.

Din Dal Bon was my CINC side kick for the day, doing the PID tasks, having fun trying to get that fluke shot of the calf, ... to no avail.

As per usual, another fine and sunny day on the channel.

Ken Tatro

	Gentle winds, mellow seas, and always,
	     		… a fresh breath of salty air, ... to ya.