[CINC] Condor Express Mon. Sept. 23

[Don Gillies]

The Condor went out on a beautiful clear, calm day Monday with passengers from around the world.  We went east past the oil rigs with several small pods of common dolphins and an occasional Minke whale when we spotted a tall spout.  It turned out to be a fin whale!  We were with him for a few spouts before he dove.  We waited for 20 minutes to see him resurface but he gave us the slip.  There were other spouts in the distance which turned out 6 humpbacks scattered over an wide area.  Some good fluke displays but the camera was still being repaired so no ID shots. The whales were busy feeding so no breaching or close approaches.  It was great to find a fin whale so close to Santa Barbara.

Don Gillies and Debbie Shelley
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