Grey Whale Watching at Channel Islands National Park Report 3-15-2013

0700…Fog

As I drove to the coast today a dense fog loomed on the horizon.

My thoughts turned to challenge and discord as I thought about the day ahead.

We departed with 70 passengers onboard anxious to observe one of the best seasons on record…with less than ¼ mile visibility.

We headed offshore bound for the usual zone for north bounders this time of year and then paralleled the coast in an attempt to intersect the northward migrators.

Talk about feeling the heat…nothing like sightseeing trips with zero visibility…ugh!

After 2 hours of dense fog, and limited time, the fog lifted and right on our bow a trio of Grays presented themselves and we tracked along with them for 30 minutes. Time got the best of us and we had to return to port.

We departed again at 230pm and plotted a course for where we projected the same pod to be…and as fate would have it (or good navigation) we came upon the same three whale…only this time we were fortunate enough to experience what we typically do this time of year…mating.

What an encounter.

We followed along for over an hour as the trio paused, tangled up in each other, rose to the surface time and time again.

Just incredible.

Having observed these magnificent creatures for over 35 years, this type of activity never ceases to amaze me.

Oblivious to our presence, they rise to the surface, pausing, rolling, and entangled with one another perpetuating the species.

This is nature…this is the raw beauty that the Channel Islands have to offer that few are fortunate witness.

See you onboard,

Capt. Frank