[CINC] Whale Watch, March 29, 2013: IPCO

[Bonne Brown]

Whale Watch, March 29, 2013 aboard the *Islander*

Linda Taylor and I shared duties on the 0930 and 1330 whale watch out of
Ventura.

We had approximately 80 passengers on both trips, but it sure seemed more
crowded on the afternoon trip.

The seas were calm and the sky was gray with a high marine layer.  It made
for great whale watching.

The morning trip produced 3 gray whales and a large pod of common dolphin.
 Probably 800 animals.  They performed for an excited group of passengers.

On the afternoon trip we saw 5 gray whales.  The first two were very shy
and it took most of the rest of the afternoon to find the other 3.  They
did come close to the boat and were very proud of their flukes, much to the
delight of the passengers.

Linda is the bird expert, as I am still new at it.  She was a great help
and listed our bird sightings as:
3 white pelicans on the detached breakwater.
Large flocks of Western Grebe and Pelagic Cormorants,
Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Murre, Common Loon, Surf
Scooters, several Red-necked Phalarope (hope I got 'em all)

On the back side of Anacapa there was several hundred sea lions hauled out
on the beaches.  Captain Dave Corey and Crew member Lisa Anderson commented
on the unusually high amount.

It was a great day but a cold one. I was glad I had a few layers on.  Linda
was a delight to work with and she taught this "newbie" a lot!

Our passengers were engaging and asked  great questions.  Many that I spoke
with are very interested in returning for an island landing trip.

Bonne Brown
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