Cruising out to the drop off on a gorgeous midday trip on the Pacific Ocean we were greeted by 100~ Long beaked common dolphins! They were more interested in food than friends and wished them happy hunting. Though further north, following that continental shelf we discovered thousands of seabirds snacking on a bait ball, they were happy to share a meal with some cetacean friends in the form of another pod of 100~ long beaked common dolphins. Making 200 for the trip!
The sunset trip followed suit with beautiful calm seas and light wind. Heading out west to where the action was on the previous trip, we caught up with 200~ Long beaked common dolphins porpoising through the waves over to another amazing feeding frenzy! So many black-vented shearwaters had gorged themselves on fish and could barely take off and their signature feet-hitting-the-water sound was heard by all passengers. Scattered baitballs, bird-piles and smaller pods of long beaked common dolphins lead us to a humpback whale showing its flukes for a dive! A little smaller whale in size, perhaps a sub adult, following the dolphins along to different feeding locations. We got good looks at its full face as it popped up after a lungefeed it the midst of all the birds! Keeping us on our toes where it was gonna show up next made for a fun evening on the water. In total we saw observed over 300~ dolphins making 500 for the day!
Looking forward to what comes tomorrow on our Friday trips to start the weekend!
-Naturalist Ruth
