[CINC] Condor X-7/15

[Paul Petrich]

Ahoy Ocean People,
 Captain Mat took some 50 "hearty"  passengers out into a blustery channel yesterday after warning them that the trip would not include a skirting of Santa Cruz Island, and would include a chance at dealing with sea sickness. He gave all a chance to get their $$ back, but only a few took the offer. He also let them know if no whales were found in the restricted search, they would get a rain-check, not a refund, yet, this warning did not phase the many foreign tourist aboard, who obviously would not be around to use a rain check. So, with Eric and Sasha as crew, and myself, Jim Dinges, and Carolyn McCleskey (PID) as naturalist, we ventured forth.
 Captain Mat took us straight west along the coast adjacent to Gaviota Pass in some fun chop, then due south off shore into some better than roller coaster seas. He had word from an boat tending the oil rigs of Humpback  sightings not too offshore . However, except for a few common dolphin, we had nothing to show for a long journey when we approached the expected sighting location. Figuring the whales had moved somewhat we ventured out into more chop for a last look, when your's truly reported a distant blow ( two miles farther out ). Captain Mat headed out, and a few minutes later excitedly reported on the mike at seeing a complete distant breach. He then saw the whale dive, and waited seven minutes. Then, all of a sudden, three Humpbacks , led by an old friend to local whale watch boats, Rope, surfaced right off the bow within 10 yards, and preceded to people watch for awhile!! Soon, a 4th Humpback joined in. 
 Captain Mat took us out a bit farther to a huge feeding frenzy amidst the chop. We saw many distant spouts, and Carolyn could officially count close up four more Humpbacks (8 TOTAL)>  Common dolphin were abundant as a mega pod of 2,000. Sooty Shearwaters were aplenty, as were California, Heermann's, and Western Gulls, and some Brown Pelicans. Even though we were off shore about 7 miles by now, we had a few sea lions. We headed south with the whales and the swells for home with avery happy Captain Mat and 50 + passengers. As we came back to the wind protected confines of Santa barbara Harbor, the beach looked alluring to many aboard. Thats where I went!    Paul 
 P.S. One couple aboard was from Switzerland and were completing a two week vacation strictly going to whale watch locales. They had never seen a whale prior to this trip. which started in British Columbia, Canada ( 2 locations ), then to Monterey, then to Santa Barbara. They saw whales in each location, starting with Orcas in B.C. But I must share this report from them with you from Cambell's River in B.C. They went out on a zodiac tour there and swore that they heard the Humpbacks that were lunge feeding there, actual sing OUT OF THE WATER, SIGNALING TO EACH OTHER TO DIVE AGAIN AS A TEAM! They thought yesterday's experience by Rope and her crew was the best possible ending to what they called their fairytale adventure!
 
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