[CINC] Friday August 14 on the Condor Express

[SpaExplorer]

Friday was an extraordinary day on the Condor Express.  The whale count was six humpbacks and five blues with a dozen dolphin. But that was only part of the story. Out in the channel we spotted two humpbacks, side by side, their tail flukes out of the water, waving them  in unison.This in itself was unusual.  As we came nearer, they came to us and put on a 50 minute performance one rarely if ever sees. They fluked, rolled over, spy hopped and breached. One fully breached 50 feet from our port side. They spouted in unison so close to us that  the dreaded "whale breath" drifted over the decks.. It was well worth it for us to experience such a close encounter with these gentle giants. For nearly an hour we were the subject of these whales' watching. The 100 passengers also saw a cow-calf pair of blues and three adults. We had folks from the U.K., Germany and France, and lots of kids. It was a trip to remember for fellow naturalists Carolyn McCleskey, Marilyn Dannehower. and myself. Captain Matt expertly piloted us, along with Dave and D.J. as crew. This was whale watch at its best!  Yahoo! Paul Froemming.  
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