[CINC] IPCO Vanguard 1/13

[A H]

Lovely day out there!

6 gray whales
200 common dolphins
1 Steller's sea lion

Crew: Jason, Lori, Joel

The morning trip found a solitary gray not 10 minutes out of the harbor.
We hung out with it for a bit, then headed towards Anacapa. On the way,
we came across a bait ball being decimated by 200 common dolphins and
a flurry of gull and pelican wings. The fish took cover underneath and next
to the boat, and the day was so calm we could see the details on individual
fish as they huddled inches beneath the water. Everyone on board was
delighted. We left the dolphins to it, and made for the Anacapa/ Santa Cruz
gap, where we watched 3 more grays, but they were made shy by the 3
pleasure boats trying to get a closer look. Thankfully they backed off a
bit,
and we were able to stroll along with the trio until we headed back to the
harbor.

The afternoon trip brought us to the east end of Anacapa, where we
encountered 2 more grays, traveling separately, and were joined by
the Ranger 85. Before heading back, we stopped to view Arch Rock from
the south, and Joel spied a Stellar's sea lion male lounging on the rocks!
What a way to end the day.

Anna Hilliard
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