[CINC] Sat 7/20/2013 Island Explorer - "The Blue Planet Experience"

[Kevin Bailey]

Today could only be describe as a “Blue Planet” experience – especially when
we got to SCI

The numbers alone do not do justice so you’ll just have to read . . .

 

As we were leaving the Ventura Harbor the ENTIRE breakwater sea wall was
COVERED in Brown Pelicans – I have not seen this many since that the cold
snap a few years ago that brought so many down the coast from WA/OR area

At the very end of the sea wall was a group of cormorants (they had a small
little space not taken by the pelicans).

 

Shortly after leaving the harbor we saw our 1st encounter – small group of
common dolphins with Elegant Terns flying overhead looking down at the fish.

 

The next group of commons was in the company of Sooty Shearwaters and sea
lions.

 

Once we got out to the northbound shipping lanes we saw a solo Humpback with
distinctive white edges along its dorsal fin. It had a damaged dorsal fin
and looked like a large male that had been through some breeding battles and
had the scarring to prove it!

 

A bit later we saw 2 more Humpbacks at close range that showed us many tail
flukes, spy-hopped and swam around the boat. One was only 10 feet from
people at the back of the boat and gave them a good whiff of whale breath
while the other swam immediately across the bow. We hung out with them a
while and then moved on. These whales were also near a huge dolphin pod that
went on forever.

 

We kept heading west and the sun was out, the water was calm, and the
wildlife was jaw-dropping!

Right off shore of SCI we sat for close to an hour in the middle of our Blue
Planet experience:

At least 5 Humpback Whales – 1 massive full body breach right off the bow of
the boat  (others were seen but not so close); huge adult pectoral fin
slapping right in front of the boat; a tail throw that was fast and furious
and also quite the crowd  pleaser.

In this massive feeding frenzy that was at least a square mile there were
thousands of dolphins, sea lions with all the sea birds: sooty shearwaters,
western gulls, heermanns gulls, Brandt’s Cormorants, Brown Pelicans and
others.

 

As we pulled away from our oasis and headed for our north SCI cruise, the
crowd clapped and cheered and Capt Dave told the passengers that today was
NOT like an average whale watching day. Of course those most amazed were the
number of people who had never seen a whale let alone all the other action!

 

We cruised the north shore and saw many, many, many birds all along the
shore including but not limited to lots of cormorants, pelicans, a Great
Blue Heron, black oyster catchers, an osprey pair and a Bald Eagle,  that
was sitting on a branch more than ½ way down the side of the bluff. We got
great looks as it was not at the top of a tree at the top of the island
where I have usually seen one. I could see the blue tag but the number was
not visible the way it was sitting.

 

Before we made a pick-up at Prisoner’s Harbor we had incredible views of
Painted Cave! Capt Dave took us back farther than I have ever seen – all the
way to the last arch in the cave that we could not fit under. People were
amazed to say the least.

 

People from the UK, France, Denmark, Switzerland, India, AZ, CO, PA and
scattered around CA were all thrilled.

Captains Dave and Luke steered the boat and Paige took care of the rest.

 

Raw numbers: 8+ Humpbacks and 5000+ Commons and birds galore.

 

Kevin and Toni Bailey

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