5 humpback whales
4 gray whales
hundreds of common dolphins
several California sea lions
one amazing day
A calm, clear, sunny morning looking for gray whales at the drop-off around
Platform Gina… None to be found… But out in the distance, Captain Robert spots
a feeding frenzy in process. We move toward it and find ourselves surrounded by
hundreds of common dolphins and diving birds.
No time to linger, though, because still further out, a humpback (or two or
three) breaches in the shipping lanes, again and again, coming fully out of the
water not far from two passing cargo ships. As we moved in closer, I had a
moment of concern as one of the ships passed very close to where the whales had
gone down. But all was well. Whew!
We moved nearer to the whales and the whales came nearer still. Pec slapping
and rolling, over and over. Some of the largest pectoral fins I’ve ever seen!
And flukes too. There were two or three whales rolling together, and then a
single, and another two. Close and active. Huge and beautiful. It was a thrill
for everyone on board, including a young woman from Ohio who’d never seen the
ocean till today and a local woman who whale watches regularly and said this
was her best ever.
Captain Robert then took these completely satisfied passengers out for a view
of Arch Rock and Anacapa Island, currently bright green. Heading back to
harbor, we saw several sea lions thermoregulating in the water near Gina and a
happy five hauled out on the nearby tank.
Continuing toward Channel Islands Harbor, we finally found some northbound gray
whales. I only saw two, but I think Robert said there were four. The one we
spent the most time with seemed to dive after each breath, offering multiple
flukes.
Truly a spectacular morning! Such a privilege!
Much gratitude to Captain Robert, Chef Paul, and Ryan.
———————————————
🐋 Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo
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