[CINC] 4/7/09 Conder Express

[Linda Hitt]

2 Humpbacks on each of the 3 trips today.  
2 fleeting Risso's on noon trip
Zero Common Dolphins on noon & 3PM trip

Sally Eagle was on PID for the whole exciting day.  Howard Fisher shadowed Sally for PID on the last 2 trips, along with me for interpretation.  Sally's 9AM trip had a large van load of very elderly citizens who were entertained by 2 friendly Humpbacks which stayed with the boat for an hour, just circling the boat up close.  

The noon trip found 2 more Humpbacks not far from the previous location but the capt didn't know whether these were the same ones.  The activity was much different.  Continuous pec slapping, tail lobbing, rolling onto the back showing off the pleats, all up close with some passengers getting sprayed with the blow.  The pectoral fins being held high in the air were spectacular.  During the trip the weather became cold, grey, & windy with some light rain so we were not sure about the third trip.

The last trip did go, with only 10 passengers, all from other countries.  Visibility was terrible.  It was cold, wet, windy, & bumpy with nothing to see.  Most of the passengers were sleeping inside the cabin.  At 4:30, just as we were about to head home, Dave spotted 2 Humpbacks out in the gloom.  The first couple of dives were longer than expected but then they decided to show off!  Everyone was outside braving the foul weather.  These two started breaching & didn't stop, sometimes very close to the boat.  At one point they did a simultaneous breach.  We finally had to leave them.

FYI- There was a professional photographer on board for the first two trips & his shots for the day will be available within 48 hrs of the trip at www.marinebiophotography.com. 
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