Ken you are absolutely fascinating with your narrative, just want you to
know how much I enjoy reading them. Only wish I could be as colorful!
Thanks for doing them—Rosie Romo
On Sat, Nov 4, 2017 at 8:35 PM Kenneth Tatro <kensword@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi folks,
Apologies for the very long delay in getting this out correctly. Some
where along the way here, I dropped the ball and did not get myself
subscribed to the new list. That is now corrected and we are able to get
our reports and other communications out to you all.
Then, things at this household have been extremely busy these past weeks,
thus we are just now getting our selves up to speed with the new list.
Here is a report that was a very fun day for the folk, crew and Naturalist
on board.
Ken Tatro
*****
The count:
Whales
Humpback 7
Dolphin
Common, Log Beaked 1200
Pinniped
Sea Lion Several
Bird
Brown Pelican 1
Cormorants few
Tern About a dozen
Black Vented Shearwater Several
Hi folks,
Well, … what can we say, … it was another one of those “what a day” days.
Yes, different, as it always is, yet just as amazing as many another we
have seen on these ever so Cetacea rich waters of the Channel.
Out of Santa Barbara Harbor, we checked out the Sea Lions, sunning
themselves on the outer buoy. From there we headed toward Platform A and
beyond. We have been having great scores out onto the flats in recent days
so that is where Capt. Erik was headed.
Just beyond the platforms, … well a fair bit more, we encountered a large
feeding frenzy of Common Dolphin. A small group of mixed birds were hanging
out just beyond this, hoping for some lunch to be driven to the surface.
But it was not to be as the dolphin feed was below. Yet, it was not too
far down, as the dolphins were quickly surfacing for air and back down for
more. Thus we had a nice oval area about the size of half a football field,
churning, churning and more churning. Easily, we had about 150 Commons on
the surface at any one time. The feast was there in quantity, and the
dolphin were scarfing it up to the max, … yep, for good a long time.
Now any good, self respecting Sea Lion in the area, was sure to join in,
so, sure enough, a few of them were in the mix as well.
OF COURSE!! The folks were at the rails taking this all in with every
kind of photo gear they had, out and firing away. At the same time, many of
the dolphins could not resist a free ride on the pressure wave or the wake
waves of the Condor. More entertainment for the folks on board. Delighted??
…shall we say they were delighted, ohhhing and ahhhing excitedly, pointing
out this one or those three, … and LOOK!! … there are babies with them, ….
siiiiigh.
Yet, even though we gave a very long look here, our primary looks were for
the big guys, … WHALES!! Pulling away, we were off to the flats once again.
It was not long, … yep, we had our whales, Humpbacks, … two, … maybe
three, … tightly bunched together, taking turns, some times in sync with
their blows, breathing cycle and down times. Up they came again, … was
that, three, … or maybe four, … still tightly running together. Down they
went again, … for some time this time, … (whale waiting in process) …
(more, whale waiting in process), …THERE they were, and one right along
side the Condor, … phoooosh!! … a mighty blow just off the boat. Folks got
a real look at the size of these full grown Humpbacks. Then one of them
rolled over on its side, then diving while turning at the same time.
Down they went again, … (whale waiting in process),
THEN Khawoooosh, — Sheeeerr- ker- big time - splash!!!!… as one gave us a
full on classic 3/4 Pacific Life breach, just off the fantail of the
Condor. Most of us saw it as we instantly turned to see what was happening,
with all that noise. I don’t think anyone got a pic of it, it was so
sudden, … but what a beautiful breach it was, … LIVE and in living color.
If any one did, it was a fantastic shot to be cherished, for both the
spectacular beauty of it and its oh so rarity.
More carrying on, one gave us a kinda-sorta tail lob, more like a little
flip, throwing a beautiful arch of water off its fluke. Then they were
playing tag with one another splashing and rolling over as they “got” each
other. Three of them were into it in a big commotion of thrashing, curling,
diving, “tagging”, … what a sight to behold indeed.
This went on and on for at least an hour if not more, and then one of them
shooshe up into a 1/2 half breach to punctuate the whole event.
Down, (whale waiting in process), … they did not come up together this
time, … rather it was in pairs far off on both sides of us, … the show,
apparently, over for now.
Well, we still had some more Humpbacks about a half mile ahead, so off we
were to see them. Something was in the water, for sure, as we had more of
the same with these,… as it turned out to be three. Heh, heh, the whales
were carrying on so much and for so long a few of the folks just sat down
and socialized with each other, not really paying attention to the whales
any more. This was NOT the case with the vast majority of the folks, as it
was a show to be savored for a long time, and they were at the rails taking
it all in for the full duration.
Another small pod of Common Dolphin showed up and took in the free wake
riding the Condor was cutting for them. Another small show for the folks.
So, as we say, “What a day?”
Captain Erik and Second Captain Tasha, as is obvious, did an outstanding
job of locating and narrating of what we were seeing. Galley Chef Jill was
very busy whipping up some of the finest griddle fried chow on the Channel
for all the folks.
This Naturalist was running solo on this trip, but is was a great crowd
with lots of questions, visiting here form France, and mostly from the Los
Angeles area, up here on a Sunday to take this all in. They we not
disappointed.
Catchya on the water soon,
Ken Tatro
Gentle winds, mellow seas, and always,
… a fresh breath of salty air, … to each of ya.
