[CINC] Islander/Scorpion hike-2/16

[paul jr petrich]

Ocean and Island People,
 Captain Anthony took a full boat load of 112 to Santa Cruz Island: About 90 disembarking at Scorpion Anchorage, including 26 kayakers and at least as many campers. Twenty two went on the hike to Cavern Point with me, with visitors hailing from as far away as the Czech Republic and China. The view from Cavern Point was unlimited, and the ancient Chumash territory from Point Conception to Point Magu was clearly visible! Fox were spotted by many on various trails, but again, non were spotted in the camp grounds. Birds and Monarch Butterflies seamed fooled into thinking this beautiful, windless, and warm day was already the beginning of spring, as they were active in great numbers. 
1Stellar Sea Lion; 30 White Sided Dolphin: 2 Humpbacks; 1 Gray southbound
 On the boat trip out we immediately got treated to marine mammals Captain Anthony says are not commonly sighted in our local: One Stellar sea lion bull on the Ventura harbor buoy, and about thirty White Sided Dolphin less than a third of the way out. Then, at the undersea escarpment, Capt Anthony  spotted two feeding Humpbacks, who joined the others of their species of late, as early arrivals duly recorded. Deckhand Joel led 11 on a hike at Prisoners, where they saw many Scrub Jays and foxes. The Gray whale was spotted there as well, within CI Sanctuary waters. Paige and DeeDee were the other crew members. Today they sold a lot of cool beverages in the galley on the way home, as the warm spring-like weather -and energy spent on the island or in kayaks, created a lot of thirsty, but happy, folks.    Paul
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