[CINC] IPCO on Saturday 1/26

[Dick Bellman]

Here is the bottom line for the Islander on the 26th:
     150 common dolphins
        7 Gray Whales

The Islander with Capt. Anthony at the helm was doing double duty, first
dropping off visitors to ESCI, and then doing 2 whale watches before
picking up day visitors for their return to Ventura.

The morning saw lots of fog in the channel UNTIL we dropped visitors off at
Scorpion.  At that moment the fog lifted and conditions were ideal.
 Virtually no wind and calms seas created perfect viewing conditions.  We
located the dolphins and then 3 Gray's directly off Potato Harbor.  The
Gray's were rather elusive and seemingly hanging out in the area.

The pm whale watch again encountered fog until we approached Santa Cruz.
 However, the ideal viewing conditions of the am had dissipated  as we
encountered much more wind and swell.  Nonetheless, again in the vicinity
of Potato Harbor we encounter 2 more Gray's

On the return trip, just 1 mile from Ventura Harbor, with very limited
visibility we were treated to a breaching Gray Whale with another just
slightly further away.

Dani and Joel provided excellent narration and took great care of the
guests.  Katherine French was also aboard, however, she departed at the
Santa Cruz to work the visitor center.

Dick Bellman
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