[CINC] Condor X-2/2/13

[paul jr petrich]

Ocean Colleagues,
 Today on the Condor Express: 7 Gray Whales; 1000+ Common Dolphins; 1 Minke Whale.
 Captain Matt took 34 passengers out, on a cool, cloudy, but mostly calm, journey through the SCI-SRI Gap, to the back side of W Santa Cruz Island, than back along the north shore all the way to the ESCI-AI Gap. In both gaps we saw Grays. We saw another within 100 yards of the SCI north shore just past Painted Cave. The 3 sighted in the east end gap provided multiple flukes, whereas the others were shy. Just before heading for home we were treated to the mega pod which seemingly included 50% calves and juveniles: And we saw our lone Minke. Sally Eagle was our eagle-eye PID, and Bob Perry was the Condor photographer up top.
Co-skipper Dave, and Galley lady Tasha, along with colleague Dino Dal Bon, kept everyone informed and happy. Although we had our usual place of origin diversity amongst the passengers, the passenger that traveled the most difficult path to come aboard today for our long whale watch was the young lady who had to be wheeled aboard on a gurney by Dave and Tasha. Afflicted with MS, her family sat, with her in the isle, far up front. She had a view out the window to the right ( I think Capt Matt made certain that our best viewings were to the right). On the way home, I asked her if she saw any of the whales, and her face lit up like a lamp, and she uttered an excited "Yes!" Then, though I could not understand, she struggled to ask a question. Her mother repeated it for me. She asked: " How do they know where they are, and how do they find their way?" It was the best of questions, and I had to answer: " We do not know yet?"  Count your blessings, Paul


 
 
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