11-02-2014: Epic Fall Conditions, Feeding Humpbacks, Three-species of Dolphins and More

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This humpback breached at least 10-15 times. Photo: Michael Sack, www.sanctuarycruises.com, 11-02-2014.

Epic fall conditions have prevailed over the last week. And the humpbacks are still feasting.

Moss Landing common dolphin.
A “porpoising” common dolphin buzzes by the boat. Photo: Michael Sack, 11-02-2014

 

Today the whales were about 5-6 miles out. So we have been having to go out a little further lately. But they’ve been coming and going throughout the day. We’ll see them closer to shore at different times during the day.

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
We had some close up looks at this breaching humpback. Photo: Michael Sack, 11-02-2014.

Over the last week or so, they seem to go in and out ranging from just outside the harbor mouth to just over 6-miles out.

Moss Landing common dolphin
We had about 300-500 of these common dolphin buzzing around the area. Photo: Michael Sack, 11-02-2014.

And there doesn’t seem to be any pattern. It’s pretty random actually.

Moss Landing common dolphin
These common dolphin were feeding in the area. We saw a couple of them chase what looked like sardines up out of the water. Photo: Michael Sack, 11-02-2014.

The dolphin sightings have been fantastic. Today we had great looks at a mixed pod of about 500+ bow-riding common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and a small group of about 25 northern right whale dolphins. The clear water and sunlight made the viewing even more spectacular as the common dolphins and northern right whale dolphins rode in our wake and in front of our bow.

Moss Landing common dolphin

The whole Monterey Bay whale watching fleet continues to come over to Moss Landing for the “Big Show” as the whale watching boat captains have been calling it. We talking 4-6 humpback whales feeding along side 200-300 sea lions. As we’ve mentioned, it’s quite a spectacle.

We also came across some krill today. So that was interesting. A late krill bloom? Who knows what that will bring.

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