<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:tahoma,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt"><div>Condor Express, Sunday, 8.10.08 <br><br><ul><li>20 Blue Whales (estimate)</li><li>124 Common Dolphins (estimate)</li></ul><br>Naturalists on-board: Carol Celic, Geoff Grow, Eileen Avery (Photo-ID,) and stow-away Chris Carlson ;)<br><br>Passengers: 144, including Chuck Rennie and Michael Smith<br><br>It was beautiful weather at the Sea Landing upon our departure to open seas. I realized we had Cetacean expert royalty on board with Michael Smith from the Gray Whales Count, who greeted me from up top, and Chuck Rennie was hanging out by the stern! <br><br>On our way out to our destination we came across about 24 Common Dolphins, and then another 100 or so a bit later. There was one dolphin who was being quite a show off and kept leaping out of the water and making a big splash that delighted the
passengers. We then we headed toward the dense cloud cover and somewhat rough seas about 2 miles off of Santa Rosa Island.<br><br>The passengers were beginning to get restless when there were no whales and then Capt. Matt announced he spotted 3 spouts, so we headed a little further northwest. We came up to a pair of Blues and one off to side. There were blows coming up around the boat and off in the distance. We estimate there were between 8 and 12 in the area we were in. Capt. Matt was explaining to the passengers that Blues maybe show their fluke about 15% of the time when diving, well we got one of the 15%! Everyone was thrilled watching these beautiful animals.<br> <br>We observed the Blues for an hour or so and then headed for Santa Cruz Island to take a look at the Painted Cave. On our way there Capt. Matt stopped briefly so we could take a look at a couple of Blues that were hanging out in what would normally be shallow waters for them.
Santa Cruz finally appeared through the fog and we went to the entrance of the Painted Cave. Chuck and I were joking amongst ourselves debating who painted the cave...Van Gogh or Pisarro. Chuck, who was a personal guide on board for a family from Redondo Beach, was quite enjoyable to hang around and seems to love sharing his knowledge and being humorous. <br><br>We then began heading back to the harbor, when we came into the shipping lanes where we came across 5 to 6 Blues and freighters coming from both directions. This was a perfect time for me to discuss with some of the passengers the predicament that is occurring within the Santa Barbara Channel. We passed through the shipping lanes quickly and didn't stay to observe the Blues for theirs and our benefit.<br><br>This was my first opportunity to observe the Blues, and to also see the Painted Cave. I was quite pleased with this trip.<br></div></div></body></html>