[CINC] WW IPCO Island Explorer, 26 July'13

[Kenneth A. Tatro]

Hi Folks,

9 Humpbacks (with many more blows "out there")
2000 Common Dolphin (total for the day)
15 Risso's Dolphin
1 Mola Mola
many Sea Lions

Bald Eagle
Barn Swallows
Brown Pelicans
Black Vented Shearwaters
Cormorants
Pigeon Guillemots
Sooty Shearwaters
Western Gulls

Following our introduction, ... 

74 folks, young and not so, from Germany, Canada, Tuson, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Thousand Oaks, Burbank, West Covina, San Diego headed out into an overcast morning for an all day venture on the Santa Barbara Channel aboard the Island Explorer in search of Cetacea and other sea life.

Beyond Ventura Harbor's outer buoy and the resident Sea Lions there, we turned West toward Whale Country. 

We encountered several small pods of Common Dolphin across the Day many feeding in nice tight bait balls, with the birds joining in. Some came to the boat to ride the pressure wave, but most were content with the fine dining they were enjoying. Still the folks were entertained by several surfing the wake of the Island Explorer, and a couple getting good air. Babies, to the great delight of the folks, were well among them.

Well out there, we came upon our first Humpback, mainly feeding, and then we saw several off in the distance all around. Three were doing some repetitive tail lobs, so we headed for them to have a good look. The folks were not disappointed as they continued to throw some fantastic tail lobs.

We sat there for a very good time, just taking it all in. Did not have to go any further, as it seemed they were all there. We were in down town Whale Country.

Among them were a cow/calf pair and the folks thought that was great to see, in addition to all the babies among the several pods of Commons we encountered.

Finally, after a very good visit to WC, we said by-by and were off, rounding the Mid Channel Buoy, and on to Santa Cruz Island to take it in and the very nice visit into Painted Cave. Capt Lee took the Island Explorer in as far as I have seen any go in, and that is pretty dog gone deep.  Here, of course, we saw the Barn Swallows and Pigeon Gillimonts. A nice group of Sea Lions graced the rock at the entrance, some having climbed way, way up on those rocks. Of course, the Gardian of the Cave gave us her usual nice smile as we left.

Cruising further east along the north side of SCI, Capt Lee said we were in for another treat, Risso's Dolphin. 

But, before he could finish telling us that, a lone Bald Eagle was spotted up on the hillside, having just taken a small bird and flying off along the hill side past us, heading west and then soaring up, up and up and finally off behind another ridge. Everyone got some very goooood looks at that sight and many a camera were shooting away. Nice!!

Yet, back to the Risso's, sure enough, between Fry's Cove and Pelican Bay there they were and entertaining to the hilt, with several giving us full breaches and getting good air to boot. Then they darted past us and in front of us, just below the surface, showing their whitish colors as they passed. Again, a nice show.

Some folks, however, did encounter the quizzies due to the motion of the ocean not setting that well with them. 

Captain Lee, with Poncho and Lisa, did their usual fine job of seeking out and finding dolphin and whales, and taking care of the folks along the way.

The ever gracious, smiling and veteran Naturalist, Joanna Guttman, rode with me, chatting it up with the folks and kept the sighting log up to date.

Ken Tatro

	Gentle winds, mellow seas, and always,
	     		… a fresh breath of salty air, ... to ya.