<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hi folks,<div><br></div><div>For the sighting stats: </div><div><br></div><div>3 Blues, two adults and 1 juvenile</div><div><br></div><div>Several pods of Common Dolphin from about 50 to 100 each.</div><div><br></div><div>1 Bald Eagle (this is not on the sighting chart but folks reading this might be interested)</div><div><br></div><div>Captain Dave, was our skipper, with Jean doing much of the narrating and Steve running the galley. Natrualist, Carole Rosales and myself with Dino Dal Bon, doing PID, were on board as well, to do the interpreting. Plus my wife, Marie and brother-in-law Mike, visiting from West Hartford, Connecticut, joined in sooooo, ... I <i>REALY</i> had to be on my good behavior on this trip.</div><div><br></div><div>It <i>was</i> good trip, very nice day even though it was well overcast with fog laying on the sea most of the day. This kept the seas relatively calm, but gave us challenges for sightings. Of course when we did have some action, everyone was up to the rails in a flash. </div><div><br></div><div>First was the commons, the 100 count pod, who turned and came over to do some bow and stern wake riding. They hung with us for some time giving Captain Dave the opportunity to cut some "S" and circle turns for the Dds to enjoy, as well as pleasure for the folks on board. Yep, the cameras were out and trying to get a good shot of these fast and very quick animals, even though they were right next to us.</div><div><br></div><div>But we were after the Blues which are showing more, and more, as the season progresses. So off we were toward the waters off of Santa Rosa Island's, Carrington Point. As we headed west we waved a good hello to the Islander's fleet mate, Island Adventure, heading back from its drop off of folks for a day of hiking and kyaking.</div><div><br></div><div>Approaching Carrington's waters, the Condor Express, out of Santa Barbara Harbor, was there and had just spotted a lone adult Blue and radioed Captain Dave. It had sounded and had been doing deep soundings of 15 -20 minutes as the Krill seemed to be fairly deep. Arriving on scene, we came to almost an idle and waited. Soon up it came, off to our starboard Bow. Two to three breaths and down. Then another adult came up off to our port side. These animals were not too interested in us, just busy feeding and moving around for more. Not too much showing, and no flukes. This went on for some time and then a juvenile, told by it smaller size, joined in, but feeding was its agenda as well. Yet the folks were satisfied at even seeing these great creatures of the deep, knowing blues are not plentiful and not in many places easily seen.</div><div><br></div><div>Captain Dave gave us a nice close and beautiful tour of the north coast (inside) of Santa Cruz Island. The sun was trying to break through and having some success here and there. Then we were treated with look into Painted Cave, the deepest I've been, and it has been several, no, the antennas did not touch the overhead of the cave, but it was about as close in as could be and still keeping that good clearance necessary. A very fine job of it and the folks gave the skipper a well deserved applause for his fine boat handling skills, as we came on out. </div><div><div><br></div><div>Following Painted Cave we continued the tour of Santa Cruz, and in one sun break, the cry came out, BALD EAGLE!! ... sure enough, there it was, sitting on a tree branch up on the side of the hill, above the cliff, presumably scoping out the sea for some fine fish cuisine. All camera swung into action, clickity click, clickity click, clickity click. Great to actually see our national bird coming back on the islands. What a good, good feeling, after all the efforts to bring this about. Yep, more to go on this, but it is good to see it coming along well. This also gave us good opportunity to share the history of this struggle with the folks onboard, most of whom have had no clue there was even an issue here. Few have even heard of it. I pointed out that your photo of this Bald Eagle, <i>now</i> has that much more significance, as you take it home to share with your family and friends.</div><div><br></div><div>Then it was past Pelican Bay and on to Prisoners Harbor to pick up a good lot of Hikers, who did the Pelican Bay round trip hike, a very solid effort, and Kyakers. This filled the boat good because, ....</div><div><br></div></div><div>About 97 folks from all over enjoyed the whale watch. Italy, represented by a family from the same area as Dino's larger family, so he got another opportunity to exercise his fluent Italian, plus Austria, Croatia, Orlando, Fla., Salt Lake City, Utah and many from the LA area and more local joined the ride and spotting of these fine animals. Also aboard was Professional Photographer, Tim Hauf, author of the most recent photo essay book "Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary." Out this year, 2008, it is a beautiful presentation of the Park and Sanctuary. Dino and I each purchased a copy of it, at Island Packers, and he kindly signed our copies. One of the few happenstance perks of being a Naturalist with his fine organization.</div><div><br></div><div>As mentioned, the Crew did a fine job of it in what was a bit of a challenging day. Marie and Mike enjoyed it.</div><div><br></div><div>As usual, another good day on the Channel.</div><div><br></div><div>Ken Tatro</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; "> </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "> </span></font></p></div></div></body></html>