I've been back and forth to Catalina Island so many times this week, but it's always a surprise what you'll find. Today we had over 3000 Common Dolphins about 5 miles off the island, 50 or so Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins mid-channel, and a great group of Risso's Dolphins moving lazily along Arrow Point. Such a cool place.

Capt. Carl

 

 

A great day with 2 Blue Whales yesterday, lots of Common Dolphins Risso's Dolphins, and Offshore Bottlenose too. All in one trip!

 

Capt. Carl

 

 

 

  

 

It's been a Dolphinpalooza out there! I've had daily Catalina trip as well as whale watch trips every day. I'm whooped. Yesterday we had about 2000 Common Dolphins, 30 Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins and we even had a Raccoon came by to check us out before the trip. Day before yesterday we had even more dolphins: 3500+ Common Dolphins, 400+ Offshore Bottlenose, and 40 Risso's Dolphins.

 

Today I'm taking a break on a foggy morning, hanging out at Bolsa Chica Wetlands taking bird pics. While at Bolsa Chica I found Clapper Rail feeding on a crab in the fog. Clapper Rails are endangered, and this was a super cool sighting.

 

Capt. Carl 

Where have all these dolphins come from? We've had over 1000 Common dolphins at a time for the last few days, today we had OVER 3000!  We've also had tons of Offshore Bottlenose and Risso's dolphins too. Orcas were spotted today off of Catalina, the only day I haven't been there this week. I'll be heading that way at 6:30am, so pray for Orcas.

Capt. Carl

 

Today I was even more in awe of the weather than the cetaceans. We found over 2000 Common dolphins today, and 150 Off shore Bottlenose, but we started our trip to Catalina with a lightining and rain storm. During the trip we had a waterspout warning. We were really looking forward to seeing a waterspout but the closest it came is in the second photo. Ugh...so close! At the island we had a great sighting of about 14 Bison from the boat! Really a great day on the water.

 

Capt. Carl

 Another day at Catalina in the morning, then whale watching in the afternoon yesterday. We found a mega-pod of Common Dolphins in the afternoon, probably about 1500 individuals, also about 100 Offshore Bottlenose and 8 Coastal bottlenose. Catalina is a very special place.

Capt. Carl

 

 

 

WOW. 3 days of BIG whales!

 

Friday: 1 Blue Whale, 50 Risso's Dolphins, 40 Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins, 600 Commons

Saturday: 2 Blue Whales, 15 Risso's Dolphins, Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins, 400 Common

Sunday: 1 Humpback Whale, more Risso's, more Offshore Bottlenose, more Commons...

 

WOW.

 

Capt. Carl

 

WE FOUND A GRAY WHALE!!! WHAT?!? I know, it is totally the wrong season to find a Northbound Gray Whale, but there she was, right at sunset. I was supposed to be at the first ACS Naturalist training tonite, getting refreshed on my Gray Whale facts. Instead We found a REAL ONE. These were the best pics I could get, but definitely a Gray. Also today 600 Common Dolphins, 30 Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins, and a couple Risso's Dolphins. Who knows what we'll find tomorrow...

 

Capt Carl

 

Such a calm glassy morning out on the water yesterday. You wouldn't know that these pictures were taken 10 miles at sea. These Common Dolphins were so relaxed it was obvious we weren't interfering with...their...actvities. The afternoon was a different story; the wind and waves picked up and it was a fun ride. You never know what the ocean will bring.

 

Capt. Carl