[CINC] Condor Express July 1, 2013

[Sally Eagle]

2 Humpbacks 
50 Risso’s
4501 common dolphins (total of a number of groups)(one of the passengers counted)
2 MolaMolas

Ah, but it’s not all about numbers.........one of the humpbacks we watched up close and personal was “kelping” his or her body. Picture this: 2 napping sea lion on a cozy kelp pad when up swims a rather large humpback and rudely decided that the kelp is up for grabs. It was a delightful happening for both the whale and the passengers on the CX. That kelp was wound around each pec any number of times; twined around the belly; twisted around the head and fluke. Anywhere there might possibly be a need for a kelp “treatment”, it got it! Words really can not tell the story. Be sure to check out Bob Perry’s photos. I am afraid even the PID person went a bit crazy, in spite of getting two magnificent fluke shots fairly early on during the show. It went on and on. BTW this was off the west end of SCI. 
The mega-pods, plural, were spaced out over the trip closer. The friendly GGs were right off Painted Cave. The fairly large Mola Molas were just out there basking in the sun.
Great day on the water, away from the heat, though it was plenty warm cruising down the face of Santa Cruz. We were joined by 20 Cuesta College marine bio students and their prof and visitors from Wyoming, Georgia, Texas, California, Nepal, Germany and Scotland. Several students and others decided that even 3 foot swells were too much. Yes, bags were passed out.

Capt Dave
Capt Eric on deck
Tasha in galley
Photo Bob Perry

Beverly Borneman
Jim Dinges
Sally Eagle PID
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