Wow! Saturday, Feb 4, 2012

Cetacean Lovers,

 
Santa Ana winds continue to blow things backwards through the Santa Barbara Channel creating spectacularly clear skies with unlimited panoramic views.  These backwards winds create wind chop and waves coming from the east.  Sounds almost impossible anywhere along the California coast except the Santa Barbara Channel.  The clear skies made it easy to spot cetaceans and these warm-blooded beasts did not disappoint their fan club on board the Condor Express this fine day.  These are the best days of the year, and here are the counts for the wild animals we closely observed today:

 

Sightings:
1 Gray Whale (at least two other spouts seen in the distance)

500 Long-beak Common Dolphins

50 Risso's Dolphins

25 Dall's "Living Torpedo" Porpoise

Hundreds of California Sea Lions

 

At one point I was shooting a band of California Sea Lions that sought shelter in a large drifting paddy of Giant Kelp, when a huge light object passed directly next to the Lions...it was a Gray Whale swimming just beneath the surface.  The resulting photograph shows the pinnipeds all straining their necks to get a look at the beast.   See for yourself.  All the images are now online.

 

ATTENTION:  THERE ARE ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT OF THIS AMAZING SOUTHBOUND GRAY WHALE MIGRATION OUT AT THE ISLANDS.  TOO SOON THEY WILL BE DONE FOR 2012 AND THE SCHEDULE WILL SHIFT TO COASTAL 2.5 HOUR TRIPS FOR NORTHBOUND WHALES RETURNING TO THE ARCTIC.  DON'T MISS THIS SHOW WHILE YOU STILL HAVE A GREAT CHANCE OF SEEING UNPREDICTABLE WILD BEHAVIORS.  PASS THE WORD TO YOUR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS WHILE THIS SPECTACULAR SUNNY WEATHER CONTINUES TO SHINE UPON US AND BRING GOOD FORTUNE. 

  
Call 888-77WHALE or 805-882-0088 to book your trip.

 
Visit our website:
http://www.CondorCruises.com
 
..or to view images from today's adventure as well as previous trips:
http://www.condorexpressphotos.com
 
Like us on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/condor.express

Follow us on Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/CONDORExpressSB

In addition to the expert crew on the Condor Express with over 35 years of experience, Channel Islands Naturalist Corps volunteer naturalists, representatives from the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park, are usually on board and available to answer your questions during the trip.

Best fishes and have a WHALE of a day!

Bob Perry
Condor Express

 

PS, Hi Bhrian!  Hi Vivi!