[CINC] 5/1/2008 Islander BLUE WHALE!

[Anthony Lombardi]

Onboard the Islander we were bound for Santa Cruz Island when we spot a spout, a large and ominous spout.  We couldn't ID the whale since the first two downtimes were right at nine minutes.  Then he surfaced right next to the boat and we knew with the beautiful blue hue that was given off under the surface and the gray skin and massiveness, that we had ourselves our first Blue Whale of the summer season!  What a MAY-DAY,  the Blue Whale mugged us for almost an hour.  He or she kept circling the boat and rolling on its side then would come up near the stern and swim under the boat and come up again on the sides.  It was around 70ft long and what a great way to start the season with a friendly Blue.  We had an island to see so we left him, but like a dolphin, this Blue started its chase and paced us for a short time then we pulled away, hope to see him again.  While nearing Santa Cruz there were five humpbacks all feeding in a close area,  two cow calfs.
 Then in a 100 feet of water off of the rivermouth near Prisoners Harbor pier there was another cow calf.  Great day. I know I am not a naturalist.  But I had to pass along the great news!  Keep an eye out for the big ones.

Capt. Anthony Lombardi
Island Packers