[CINC] IPCO Islander

[Kathryn Wasden]

Two pair of cow/calf humpbacks

7-10 Blues

10+/- Risso's

All the way into Painted Cave

 

A bit of a rough go out in the channel, to the back side of SCI which was a
bit calmer for the 63 aboard.  Three different sightings of common dolphins
to that point. As we traveled the back route into the gap between SRI and
SCI we found nothing but choppy seas. Finally, a good distance on the north
side of SMI we spotted  spouts and the Condor X.  We saw the same blues and
humpback pair as Scott's  boat did. In addition to that another cow calf
pair with the calves learning feeding behaviors of the cow. It was great fun
to see these "little" mouths opening up for krill visible from the surface.
The crew even did a plankton tow to show to the passengers, species which
was considerably smaller than the jar I brought around earlier! Passengers
had good views of Risso's intermixed with the two species of whales. The
closest encounters were quite a thrill with the cow/calf swimming right
under the bow and one "mid" sized blue swimming inches from the starboard
side (awesome.what was he/she thinking?). Finally, a first for me all the
way inside painted cave. The passengers landed a great trip today, Cpt. Alex
and Andrea great on the microphone. Probably 90% off the passengers asleep
on the way back in, cute J (a bit of visual overload or a rocking boat
syndrome). Fun day.I am a bit talked out!

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