[CINC] sightings May 9 on the Vanguard

[Noel and Kathy Van Slyke]

	Yesterday I was on a trip to Anacapa.  On the way out we saw three 
humpbacks -- nice views but no tail flukes or anything 
spectacular.  However, on the way back I saw the most outstanding 
sighting that I have seen in seven years as a naturalist -- a 
humpback whale repeatedly breaching - not once -- not twice -- not 
ten times but a total of 49 times according to a Los Angeles Times 
reporter that was sitting next to me on the Vanguard.  While not all 
of those breeches were close to the boat many were.  She started her 
counting as soon as the whale was spotted and continued until the 
whale could no longer be seen.  Who knows how many more breaches 
there were.  An that didn't include all the rolling, pec slaps and 
other spectacular behaviors.  I think it is going to be hard to see 
anything that will surpass that.  Hope that whale stays out there 
that active for others to see.   I imagine the travel article that 
she is writing will have a lot about that.

Kathy Van Slyke