[CINC] Condor X 6-15

[garydel at aol.com]

Where to start describing the chowder that was yesterday's Condor trip?? Here goes:

Dall's Porpoises??????????? 3 or 4
Blues?????????????????????????? About 6 logged with many more spouts all about
Humps???????????????????????? About 8 logged with additional ones breaching and displaying in the distance
Pac. White Sides????????? approx. 20
Commons??????????????????? About 200
Mola Mola??????????????????? 1
Seal Lions??????????????????? Lots
Harbor seals???????????????? 2 0r 3

40 passengers under the skilled hand of Capt. Fred Benko hardly had time to sit and snack for all the animals that drew everyone to the rail. The main event was a trio of humps who mugged the boat for about 30 minutes. Spy hops just a few feet from the Condor's side, nuzzling the bow, pec slaps and assorted other acts of apparent friendship (excluding those instances of sliming the paying customers with fishy whale breath...) pleased everyone as they ran from one side of the boat to the other to view these friends.

Blues were typically more discreet but did offer up a couple of giant flukes. The Pacific white sides in a widely dispersed pod did play with the boat a bit giving all a good view. The tightly packed pod of common dolphins rounded out the day as we approached the harbor. They were on a mission... swimming fast in a tight pack after a short visit with the Condor.

Sunny in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon, zero swell and almost no wind. Very nice people, many who were in town for last weekend's graduations at UCSB. Excellent narration by Captain Fred and a happy clientele thanks to the crew.
Marty Garey on board as the other naturalist and Don Gilles.... VERY busy with photo ID this day!

Gary Delanoeye
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