Hi folks,
The count:
AM
Gray Whales 4
1 Juvenile
1 Mother/calf pair
1 Adult
Common Dolphin 250
Sea Lion 2
Brown Pelican 80
Western Gull 120
Cormorant 40
Heading out into a very rainy morning, knowing the weather was diminishing, and
the seas as well, we had many hardy souls with us, seeking Cetacea for the mere
satisfaction of viewing them in their own habitat, the great seas of this
precious earth.
Though in their diminishing role, the seas were still on a roll, rain was still
finishing up. It was a good bit bumpy, with a few white caps still testifying
to the over night storm.
Yet we soon came on our usual greeter to the channel, two to three common
dolphin we out on the hunt. Folks were delighted, … it was a good omen of
future siting of Cetacea. Then more showed up and came over to the boat to take
in the pressure wave and wake of our track in the sea. Most fun for the folks,
dolphin all over the place.
Out next encounter was a small but persistent feeding frenzy, With Brown
Pelicans falling out of the sky like this morning’s rain. Common Dolphin in the
mix had driven the prey of small fish to the surface, the word was out, and the
birds came in, in numbers. Even a couple of Sea Lions were in there feasting.
We took this in for some time, though small in ares, it was very persistent to
the extent we had to break off of it, to continue our hunt for the big guys.
A lone juvenile Gray showed up, traveling slowly and steadily, until it seemed
to come to almost a stop, for a goodly time it just hung out off our starboard
bow, almost as if it was checking us out. Mostly it was just under the surface,
its turquoise image quite visible to all. Eventually it would rise just a bit
to blow and inhale a nice fresh breath of new air and drop back to the foot or
two just under the surface, back to turquoise image form. A very fun time for
the folks.
Later we came on another Gray, … oh nope, … it was two, and Mother and small
calf, freshly born in Central Baja, just a few weeks ago. Mother would rise and
BLOW, and junior would do the same with its little blow. Folks got a big
delight out of this.
One more adult Gray was sited, we stayed with it for a time but it was
definitely on a mission to get on to Alaska.
On the way in, the seas now calming some, we came on what looked to be this
same feeding frenzy, still going on. A royal feast to be sure.
PM
Gray Whales, 2
Humpback Whales 2
Seas had calmed considerably, and continued to do so all afternoon, until it
was Lake SB Channel. Even the skies opened up nicely, sunshine was here and
there, a nice ride for all.
Yet it was naught a one of any animal to show for the ride. Folks were enjoying
the “cruise” yet not a siting of sea life was to be found.
Finally, late in the trip two Grays heading west, (in the northern track
through the channel) popped up, and gave us a nice show of blows and consistent
travel. The folks, after a long ride to see them, were delighted, to say the
least.
More activity, a good distance off our starboard bow, was sited by the crew, so
we broke off to take these in, … ah ha, … Two nice size Humpbacks, moving along
nicely, then slowed to do some feeding. Tail fluke were in limited display as
they frequently gradually sank to dine on the near surface prey. Yet there
were some, and nice ones for sure and all forms of phots gear were up and hard
at work.
Folks across the day were here from, Taiwan, The Philippines, Illinois,
Michigan, Florida, New York, Along with many locals.
Captain Joel, with Paige narrating and Joe in the galley, did their usual fine
job of finding Cetacea and keeping the folks as happy as can be.
Ran solo today, great folks, great crew, … Very good to be back on the water.
Catchya on the water soon,
Ken Tatro 🐋 🐬
Gentle winds, mellow seas, and always,
… a fresh breath of salty air, … to each of ya.
