[CINC] Wednesday July29 on the Condor Express

[Marilyn Dannehower]

A zillion common dolphins
cow/calf Blue whales
3 Humpbacks

We learned early today that the CX was scheduled for a 1-5:30 trip today, so Don Gillies on PID,  Bhrian Resnik and I went out with 125 passengers in the afternoon.  

Captain Dave told the passengers that it might be bumpy, as the winds come up in the afternoons, and that we'd probably not get a chance to visit Painted Cave because we were heading far west to find the Blue whales and Humpbacks.
All the above happened, but the wind was not bad and Captain Dave found plenty of marine mammals to delight our full boat.

First we saw constant Common Dolphins on the way out.  There were three larger groups, but the dolphins were spread out all along the channel crossing.  Once in front of Santa Rosa Island, we found a thin mom and much smaller Blue whale calf.  We made the assumption that this is a new calf and mom is thin due to nursing the calf.  We stayed with them for about 4 breathing cycles.  It was interesting to note that the baby was not diving with mom while she was feeding, he/she was just hanging around waiting.  The baby also had something attached to the area of the dorsal fin, shaped like a tube, black and about 12" long. (?)...
When we left the pair, we quickly located a pair of Humpbacks.  Another Humpback joined them on the second breathing cycle.  

John Calambokidis was in the area with some other reseachers and they were checking out the Blue whale cow/calf pair as we left the area to return home.

Great day, thanks to Captain Dave, Jaques and Amanda!
Marilyn Dannehower
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