Hello whalewatchers: This afternoon we managed to have some great sightings, starting with a short visit to Islas Todos Santos. All the usual suspects were there, northern elephant seal weaners (no females or males on the beach), plenty of harbor seals and the usual California sea lions hauled out on the rocks. We also saw lots of black oystercatchers, a few pelagic cormorants, peregrine falcons with a surprise look at one hunting and capturing a morning dove right off the bow–what an impressive bird of prey!
We came across the” gray whale highway” before lunch, seeing several northbound whales including a group of 5 animals that we were able to follow for a while. A little further south we saw an area of 5 or 6 fin whales in a small area. We were able to get a good look at one whale and make a positive id with the lower right jaw being white. There were also some long-beaked common dolphin with a small group of short-beaked common dolphin as well. Late in the afternoon was great for the pelagic birds with several blackfooted albatross, a laysan albatross came close, and there were several northern fulmars, Xantus’ murrelets, red phalaropes, and black-vented, sooty and pink- footed shearwaters.
More tomorrow, Team Searcher
