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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Friday was an extraordinary day on the Condor
Express. The whale count was six humpbacks and five blues with a dozen
dolphin. But that was only part of the story. Out in the channel we spotted two
humpbacks, side by side, their tail flukes out of the water, waving them
in unison.This in itself was unusual. As we came nearer, they came
to us and put on a 50 minute performance one rarely if ever sees. They fluked,
rolled over, spy hopped and breached. One fully breached 50 feet from our
port side. They spouted in unison so close to us that the dreaded "whale
breath" drifted over the decks.. It was well worth it for us to
experience such a close encounter with these gentle giants. For nearly
an hour we were the subject of these whales' watching. The 100 passengers also
saw a cow-calf pair of blues and three adults. We had folks from the U.K.,
Germany and France, and lots of kids. It was a trip to remember for fellow
naturalists Carolyn McCleskey, Marilyn Dannehower. and myself. Captain
Matt expertly piloted us, along with Dave and D.J. as crew. This was whale watch
at its best! Yahoo! Paul Froemming. </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>