Breaching humpback and minke madness!

Another drop dead gorgeaus day in the Santa Barbara Channel yields lots of life. In total across two trips we watched :

6+ Humpback Whales (breching)

12+ Minke Whales

200+ Common dolphins

Overcast skies led us east to where the majority of the feeding whales have been this pastg week. We found lots of whales, with at least 6 humpbacks in the area. We watched adults, and juveniles feeding together with minke whales and common dolphins. It was action packed with flukes and close approaches!

A humpback Fluke with feeding birds in the background. Photo by Captain Adam.

A close approach from a young humpback. Photo by Captain Adam.

In the distance a young whale began breaching. It slowly brecahed closer and closer to us as, before long it was right beside us and we got two amazing breaches out of it! A highlight of the morning for sure.

A young humpback breach. Photo by Captain Adam.

The morning clouds gave way in the afternoon, making for some of the most beautoful weather of the yeasr. Flat seas, sunny skies, and BLUE water. WE returned to the same area to find 3 of the humpbacks we watched on the earlier trip. One of the adults swam under the boat as FIVE minke whales came up all at once. See the drone photo below.

A humpback and 5 minke whales surround the velella. Photo by Captain Adam.

The highlight of the second trip was being SURROUNDED by minke whales. At least a dozen minkes surrounded us on all sides. It is pretty rare to see so many together here in the channel, this is the most Captain Adam has ever seen in one area. Solitary by nature, when the feeding opportunities are too good to pass up, the minkes will make these larger groups. It is so cool to see so many traveling together!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/28aed3_bf525b673ce24edf953945db5b4aad6e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Three minkes traveling together. Video by Captain Adam.

Until Next Time,

The SBWW Crew