[CINC] Question

[Keith Grey Hale]

Good question I have seen these to. I am not sure but all that you have said came into mind also. 

Keith

From: dean.benjamin at sbcglobal.net
To: channel_islands_naturalist_corps at rain.org
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:21:43 -0700
Subject: [CINC] Question





















I am loathe to expose my ignorance to our august group of
naturalists, but this one really has me puzzled.  I came across 4 animals
yesterday, about ½ mile off the Mandalay Power Plant at about 18:30.  Two were
most likely bottlenose dolphins.  The other two were solid black, at least as
much of the body as I could see (no clear view of the head, tail, or lower
portion of the body).  Dorsal fins about 2 feet high.  Exhalation was visible
although no well defined and not huge, and I estimate the length to be 9-12
feet.  Water temperature 68 degrees F.

 

My thoughts are:

Dall’s Porpoise – I observed no white coloration.


Orcas – these were too small and juvenile Orcas would
not be alone, and the bottlenose would not have stayed close.

Melon-headed Whale – perhaps, although they are
generally in larger groups.

Pygmy Killer Whale – perhaps, although not commonly
seen in California
and Baja.

False Killer Whale – these were too small and the bottlenose
would not have been nearby.

Short-finned Pilot Whale – these were again too small
to have been this species.

Bottlenose which were all black???

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks,

Dean

 

 

 

 		 	   		  
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