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It was a beautiful day in the Santa Barbara Channel, with good observation quality and, for a change, the whales spread out through the day: one for each two-hour shift.
The first was at 9:30 while we were being interviewed by BBC Radio 4 via mobile phone. It was very cool that in mid-sentence there was a blow. We could not confirm it until we hung up, but it was a nice way to share the action on the Point.
The second whale was also a shared process. We have a "network" of interested and supportive community members who regularly come by. One was walking along the bluff in Isla Vista (to the east of us). He said a whale was inside the kelp heading our way in maybe ten feet of water.
We had to reposition the observation crew because a large bush conceals that area. It is a problem. It is very rare for a whale to travel inside the kelp from Campus Point. Few have, but this one did. We picked it up as it made its way out of the kelp and continued very, very close around Coal Oil Point, Perhaps it was a hungry juvenile looking for something to eat in the kelp.
Come to think of it, we shared the third and fourth whales. A group happened upon our site at the right time to see number three, and we notified the Condor Express about number four. Some passengers got a better view of the magnificent whale than we did.
Totals today:
Northbound Gray Whales 4 Calves 0
Totals for season:
Gray Whales 44 Calves 0
My best,
Michael
Further Reading:
Next report: Gavin Thurston in the water filming Gray Whales
Last report: Michael spots 1st Gray Whale of the season
Michael H Smith is the Project Coordinator of Gray Whales Count