Immaculate seas set a more-than-pleasant tone for both todays trips, and with crystal clear atmospheric conditions, we had no trouble spotting animals and pleasing crowds. Our first trip started with Risso’s Dolphin early on, who glistened in the beautiful morning light under opalescent partly-cloudy skies. Soon after we headed off shore to the edge of the continental shelf where – after a very brief binocular scan – we spotted a pod of four killer whales! The orcas graciously afforded us spectacular looks, as they were traveling south at a very predictable clip and diving for six minutes at a time and routinely. Soon, we had followed them so far south that their backdrop became the Point Lobos and The Carmel Highlands. Having reached the end of our leash, we made way back for Monterey Harbor and quickly stumbled upon a good sized pod of Dall’s Porpoise. I like to say that one does not find Dall’s; they find you first. Out of nowhere, they zipped in for a few minutes of intense bowriding and wake-surfing (check out our instagram) before zipping off to Timbuktu. Overall, a magical trip. However, we always say that no two trips are the same, and our second trip was beautiful and wild all on its own. Several miles down the coast of Pacific Grove we did spot some more Risso’s Dolphin, this time hosting the world famous Casper (the albino). After watching them, we soon came upon a Minke whale (my first of the year) just another mile up the coast before heading off and finding a single humpback whale who never once sounded for more than a minute, resulting in gratuitous views 🙂 Nearing the end of time with said humpback, we happily embarrassed one passenger – Miguel – with a round of Happy Birthday. Halfway through the song, the humpback surfaced right next to the boat to the roar of the crowd and the cheer of the tune – easily the greatest “Happy Birthday” session Miguel has ever had! Great looks, great weather, and great people 🙂
–Naturalist Isaiah
