07-06-2015: Friendly Humpback, a Jumping Thresher Shark, mola molas and More

This is the friendly that kept going back and forth under the boat. At one point, we could see the tail on one side of the boat and it's head on the other side of the boat. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-06-2015.
This is the friendly that kept going back and forth under the boat. At one point, we could see the tail on one side of the boat and it’s head on the other side of the boat. I had the engines off. So it was a full sensory experience. Let me just say that vaporized whale breath has a salty taste about it.  Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-06-2015.

The action started early in the trip as we stumbled across a lone humpback right out the gate. But soon it was obvious this was not a whale we wanted to watch. It seemed like a ten minute diver. So after a couple of dive cycles we moved on.

Moss Landing Thresher Shark
This thresher shark launched about five or six times. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-06-2015.

After about 10-minutes of running to the southwest I noticed a fish-like animal jumping about 50-yards off to my right. I immediately made a course and grabbed my camera. It jumped a few more times and when we were about 10 yards away it launched right in front of us. That was a rare sighting.

Check out some video from today: Friendly Humpback whales

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This whale seemed very interested in us. Almost curious. Photo Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-06-2015

There were a lot of whales around, but they were scattered into singles and doubles. I’d say 10-15 whales scattered over about a 5-mile area starting just outside the Moss Harbor.

More video from today: Moss Landing Humpback Showing Us Some Love

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This was the whale we came across right out the gate. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com, 07-06-2015

But all we needed was this one friendly. This animal spent the better part of 30-minutes under and around our boat. Floating below the surface right next to the boat, then going back and forth under the boat. A truly remarkable encounter. One I’ll never forget.

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
This humpback was actually circling the boat. Photo: Michael Sack sanctuarycruises.com 07-06-2015

So things have been looking up. Over the weekend the action was mixed from one trip to the next. But overall amazing. We even had one lone orca on the 08:00 AM trip on 07-05-2015. The animal was clearly in hunt mode. So that was fun. We just really never know. Every trip is different.

Moss Landing Humpback Whale
More circling. Photo: Michael Sack, 07-06-2015.
Santa Cruz Humpback Whale Barnicle
These are the barnacles on the rostrum of a humpback whale. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-06-2015.

Santa Cruz Humpback Whale

 

Santa Cruz Humpback Whale
This humpback seemed to want to get a look at everyone. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 07-06-2015.
Santa Cruz Humpback Whale
This was one of our best encounters. I’ve got to tell you, looking a 45′-50′ humpback whale in the eye three feet away from you is a very moving experience. Just ask anyone who was on-board today. Photo: Michael Sack, sanctuarycruises.com 0-06-2015

 

 

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