Nature Cruise March 12 and 13, Saturday and Sunday

Passengers on Saturday‘s Nature Cruise were thrilled when they came upon
approximately 2,000 common dolphins frolicking in the water, tail slapping and
high jumping, as well as surfing the wake of the vessel.  The elephant seals,
harbor seals with their pups and hundreds of sea lions were enthusiastically
observed.  Many brown pelicans were seen on their nests, and in one nest three
chicks were observed feeding.  Passengers also got to watch part of the northern
migration of three Eastern Pacific gray whales.  Perhaps due to the recent
earthquake/tsunami, the swells were higher than on most Nature Cruises.
Nonetheless, passengers, along with Museum Whalers Sheri and Diane, enjoyed the
day.

Sunday the ocean had calmed and passengers enjoyed seeing three of the four
local species of dolphins, including Pacific white-sided, common and offshore
bottlenose.  In the morning three northbound gray whales were observed, one
showing its flukes several times.  A very young brown boobie chick was seen in
its nest high on Bird Rock.  Several black oyster catchers were seen as well as
a hybrid black/American oyster catcher.  The highlight of the day was watching a
pod of five gray whales exhibiting mating behavior, closely followed by some
offshore bottlenose dolphins.  A group of “birders” from Indiana were thrilled
to see so many birds they had never before observed.  Whalers Gaynell and Diane,
along with all the passengers, thoroughly enjoyed the day on the water.

Submitted by Whaler Diane