June 1st (Vessel New Horizon): Fields of whales. That is what awaited us early on into our morning trip. With occasional lunges, massive rafts of sea lions, and thousands of birds ranging from gulls, to shearwaters, fulmars, and of course the iconic pelican… today was not a good day to be an anchovy! Choppy seas…
DetailsTuesday, May 31st (Vessel Chubasco): The all-too-familiar Northwesterly winds loomed on the horizon, as Captain JJ led the charge on the mighty Chubasco. Barely 3 miles out, dozens and dozens of humpbacks surfaced this way and that, and while birds and sea lions abounded by hundreds or thousands, the SONAR continued to pick up massive…
DetailsTwo and a half days of immaculate seas and incredible whales has been a cherished respite in the midst of the constant barrage of NW winds these past few months, and as they say, “All Good Things…” Discovery sent out two boats this morning, making haste as impending wind loomed on the horizon. Barely three…
DetailsAgain, I am speechless. As the immaculate weather window threatens to snap shut (tomorrow) we were once again afforded three full trips of amazing seas, dozens of humpbacks close to the harbor, ravaging shoals of anchovies with frequent surface lunges amongst hundreds of sea lions and intermittent breaches and tail throws. Sporadic fog made an…
DetailsBy wind, waves, and bravery, suffering for months, The Sea chashes in all her debts, all at once. Three trips we skated ‘or blue fields of glass, Three trips beholding the Humpbacks in mass. This way and that, and all day we saw, Anchovies by millions engulfed in the maw. The life soup of plankton,…
DetailsAn interesting few days, as both Thursday and Friday boasted similar morning-only trips (afternoons cancelled by continued Northwesterly winds). Both saw roughly 15 humpbacks, whereas the former additionally saw 80 Risso’s Dolphin. Solid trips, good and hardy passengers, and no small supply of sea shanties 🙂 Today’s weather was merciful enough to allow for two…
DetailsHumpback city! Captain JJ took us out barely 15 minutes before we already started seeing whales. With today’s lumpy seas, we were fortunate to not have to drive any further. All told, we saw at least 25 Humpback Whales, with occasional surface lunge feeds, close passes, and a lone harbor porpoise. I’m still struggling to…
DetailsWe departed for our Tuesday whale watch this week promptly at 9am. We wasted no time getting out into the bay and quickly saw the blows of humpback whales. We stopped for the first one we reach and immediately had another appear within fifteen feet of our bow followed by another coming up off our…
DetailsDeja-vu… or shall I say, Deja-Blue! A remarkable repeat of yesterday: Dozens of Humpback Whales at the beginning, friendly 2 Fin Whales out over the Canyon.. and just as the wind and clock decried our return, a single Blue Whale appeared just close enough for us to get a single, fantastic look and with even…
DetailsBluuuuuueeeeee Whaaaaaaallllessss! As the powerful northwesterly winds continue to pound our coast, they also continue to serve as the physical mechanism for the nutrient rich coastal upwelling that fuels our ecosystems. As a result (amongst many) we have started to see Blue Whales out over the canyon the last few days. Not only the Blues,…
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