[CINC] "No Orcas..." he pouted :( | Today's field report

[Scott Cuzzo]

The facts:

Sat. June 28, Island Packers all day trip

Wildlife:
Common Dolphin 30 + 30 + 700 + 30 + 500
Pacific Whited Sided 25
Risso's 100
Humpback Whales 1 cow/calf pair + 1 cow calf pair
Minke 1

Naturalists:  Kevin Bailey and Scott Cuzzo

 >>>>>

A bit more:
After Laura's report on seeing Orcas yesterday, I must admit I was  
VERY excited that I had an all day trip planned with IPCO today!  I  
went to bed last night dreaming of Orcas.  Visions of Orcas did  
indeed dance in my head.  But alas, it was not to be so.

The ocean was very, very calm all day, even past Santa Cruz Island.   
The IPCO boat went past Santa Rosa, then back again with a dip into  
painted cave.  We saw lots of dolphin of varying varieties mentioned  
above all day.  The first humpback cow/calf pair we found was relaxed  
and we got good views, but no remarkable behavior.  The second cow/ 
calf pair was seen at the end of the day after leaving Santa Cruz and  
heading back across the channel.  We were pretty close to the oil  
rigs.   I saw one of the two breach as we got near these whales, but  
the crowd was at the front of the boat watching a big group of  
dolphin instead.  I could see other spouts off in the distance,  
towards shore.  We didn't stay too long with this second pair, but as  
we departed, there were at least three breaches that not many got to  
see.   Not many got to see the typically elusive Minke either,  
including me.  There were many groups of small Mola Mola throughout  
the day.  I saw a few fish fly out of the water, and was told they  
were probably small Mola Mola.  And one IPCO crew member saw a few  
yellow-tailed baracuda under the water.  I also heard that flying  
fish have been seen recently in the area.

All things considered, it was not a bad day at all.  And I still have  
my dreams.

Regards,

Scott Cuzzo