[CINC] CX, WW 1/12/13

[John Kuizenga]

The Critter Count for 1/12/13:

250 Commons (DC) in two equal size groups
15 Gray¹s (more in the distance)
100 Russo's 
1 Bald Eagle
500+ Sea Lions

Following the customary pause at outer harbor buoy to observe the usual
contingent of Pinnipeds (all Sea Lions) we headed due south and thanks to
Matt¹s sharp eyes, at 1.5 miles from the harbor entrance, we had our initial
sighting of two ER¹s heading East. Both looked to be sub-adults, each with
copious amounts of barnacles and the lead whale was quite colorful adorned
with orange lice covering most of the rostrum. They both were highly mottled
with a fair number of depigmented spots on their flanks, which Laura (PID)
was quick to image. Skipper Mat followed them East briefly, providing
everyone with good looks at which point we returned to our previous course,
heading for the gap between SC and SR.

After several encounters with Commons we arrived 4 miles North and a mile
East of West Point at Santa Cruz,   where we observed a single Gray, with
classic heart shaped blows, who elected to journey down the north side of
the island. After a brief stint watching this whale traveling east, with a
least one down time exceeding six minutes, the crew of Mat, Matt, Bob Perry
became aware of a significant number of other spouts behind (West of) us and
we were off to the ³gap².  Before actually entering the gap we encountered
six Gray¹s seemingly attempting to make a decision, whether to ³shoot the
gap² or head East down the North face of SC.
At this point both the number of ER¹s and their activity level dramatically
increased and it was apparent we were observing a mating pod, of six Gray¹s
more intent on having a little fun, than staying on task. Hey, it¹s a long
trip  to Baja and who can begrudge them having a few diversions. Yep, the
sea was roiling with trashing, rolling whales, some upside down.  Prone to
be very business like, everyone aboard delighted in all their antics.

Sharp eyed Matt alertly spotted a single Bald Eagle on the headland just
North of Forney¹s Cove, perched on the crucifix there. Capt. Mat maneuvered
us in tight and everyone had good looks.  This incidentally was the third
time in the last week, either one or two eagles were observed.
Unfortunately, we didn¹t get close enough to observe a tag.

>From here it was back to West Point and several other mating pods flailing
and trashing about, going no place fast, with some voyeurs (Sea Lions and
Risso¹s) darting and cutting about, perhaps just playing with the Big Guys
and Gals. 

Following the courtship rituals, we departed for Painted Cave, however the
residual swell prevented us from making little more than a cursory look and
we were off on our return trip to the harbor.

You might want to check Bob Perry¹s Web Site on Monday, as he took some
spectacular images today.

Great group of enthusiastic and appreciative passengers, many locals, others
from Lompoc, New Jersey, Switzerland, Germany and a gentlemen who told me
he¹d lived in SB for forty years and this was his first ww trip.

Today was a top ten day of the past year for me, with great weather,
animated whales and a great group of passengers, included a lovely lady
(Joanne) from Rockaway, New Jersey which just happened to be the same town I
grew up in.  We had fun chatting and bantering about local landmarks, lakes,
nearby towns, the Jersey weather,   lingo and Hurricane Sandy.

The crew of Captains Mat and David, plus Matt, did there usual outstanding
job and I (John Kuizenga) thoroughly enjoyed working with Barbara Hilburn
and Laura Shelton (PID) today.

John

 
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