[CINC] Island Adventure Saturday, February 16 Whale Watch

[Catherine French]

What a perfect day to be on the water, the east winds calmed and visibility was fantastic.

AM: At the red buoy just outside Ventura Harbor 1 female Steller sea lion hogging the buoy and one adult male California sea lion.
1 Minke, 4 humpbacks, 2 gray whales one a juvenile for sure, 2nd smaller as well
500 common dolphins in the morning 

PM: 5 Orcas including two younger ones, a large adult male and possibly two other mature females
700 common dolphins with many calves.

So many sightings I am probably missing some. The Orcas were on the south side of AI and separated around some juvenile sea lions, but never took one. Looked like it may have been another training mission. We had excellent views of the Orcas for about 45 minutes. When the dolphins figured out they were there they hightailed it, literally, away from the area flying out of the water and moving at break neck speed.

The large dolphin sighting was great as the water was so calm and the light perfect so we could see them in their entirety under water. Breathtaking is a good description.

Birds included western gulls, all three cormorant species in large numbers, surf scoters, grebes and others.

Both boats were full with lots of locals, Europeans, three from Lithuania, London and from all over the country.

Thanks to Captain Lee, Luke and Dani. Along for the ride and training for certification were Ali Widmar and Mike Siminski who both deftly filled out the sighting reports.

I got one good shot of a couple of the Orcas with saddle markings that I will post on my FB page.


Calm Seas,
 
Catherine French
Writer, mentor, naturalist
805.570.0432
To own is to have; to share with friends, is to enjoy.





Calm Seas,
 
Catherine French
Writer, mentor, naturalist
805.570.0432
To own is to have; to share with friends, is to enjoy.

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