[CINC] Fri Aug 23 CX

[thusone at aol.com]

Cow Calf Humpback, 4 minkes, lots of common dolphins.  In one large group, I saw hardly an adult dolphin
without a mini-me by its side.   Cuuute!   I would say this was a nursery group. 
Departing, we plowed through the fog ringing a sunny Santa Barbara Harbor, punched through
to the other side and found some good visibility.   We motored & motored east, encountered 4 single
typically shy minkes... but got very good views as the whales came up rather close
to the boat..  until  .....   FINALLY....   humpback whales full breaching out of the water a'la synchonized swimming, 
crashing down together, twin tsunamis,   about 5 times.    A mother and calf Humpback whale.   
What followed was a good prolonged visit with them, including an exaggerated roll  (whirrlygig 13 foot pec fins!)  and tail throw by Mom.
 It got a bit bumpy out there and on the way back, but Captain Dave found the smoother trail home .
A wonderful, enthusiastic, international and local group of whalewatchers on board.   One veteran whale watcher with impressive camera
gear,  from Los Angeles  said he has been coming back every year to the Condor Express for the last 15 years...he remembered the  Old Condor.
I commented to him;  I can understand why.   

Capt. Dave, Eric, Cassy, Steffanie Wise, Ginny Fischer and Shirley Johnson

Shirley Johnson




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