Our family just came back from one of the most incredible and memorable vacations we’ve ever experienced.
The most unforgettable thing we saw occurred on Thursday morning, July 20, as we were on a 65-foot boat from Ventura, California, to the Channel Islands: We spotted a humpback whale (the same species featured, btw, in STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME). The whale was moving in the same direction we were, west toward Anacapa island, so we approached the whale slowly, watching it breach many times before we finally caught up with it. It would spout, its body would glide into view, and its tail would come up and lash the water as it disappeared, leaving behind an oval of slick water among the waves to mark its passage.
As we were coming up even with the whale, the most amazing thing occurred. In the area around the whale there suddenly appeared scores and scores of dolphins, leaping up out of the water in that arc’ing motion called “porpoising.” The dolphins would be three, four, five abreast as they came out of the water, within feet of our boat. Many would dive under our boat and come up on the other side.
Next, dozens of sea lions also appeared, also “porpoising,” as if they were imitating the dolphins. There were also scores of seagulls and pelicans and smaller birds descending on the area.
We later learned that there is an underwater shelf between the Channel Islands and the Ventura/Point Hueneme section of the mainland. The currents from the warmer south Pacific and the colder north Pacific collide at this shelf, swirl around, and mingle, bringing foreign species of fish and krill together in one particular place in the Santa Barbara Channel. We were right at that place, just as all these various species arrived in a big feeding frenzy. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. It was magical, even holy and joyous. Words can’t describe it.
--wiz
While I didn't see a three course spectacle like you apparently did, I have been on whale-watches before, and those humpbacks are magnificent animals to see.
Kurgan
kinda makes you feel insignificant, huh?
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[This message has been edited by lightbulba (edited July 25, 2000).]
lightbulba, that goes without saying for you
http://www.jediknight.net/mboard/wink.gif)
Yes, but looks aren't everything.
http://www.jediknight.net/mboard/wink.gif)
Seriously though, Wiz, that's so cool!
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"The Beasts know much that we do not." -Ancient Jedi proverb
Very cool.
When we went back to the visitor center at the harbor, there was a board on the wall that tracked whale and dolphin sightings. There were only two previous whale sightings during the month of July, so it apparently was a very rare treat.
--wiz
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"Some said the earth never forgot, never forgave its old scars. Others whispered that if perhaps a savior arose-- There for lack of imagination the whispers died."
--DORIS PITKIN BUCK, "The Giberel"
Sounds like GOD was there. Very cool. Also sounds like a most excelent experience, thanx for sharing it with the rest of us Wizz.
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<font color = "blue"> "Be excelent to each other." </font>
The Un-Council's Disgruntled Bounty Hunter
-Calypso
[This message has been edited by Jedi Calypso (edited July 27, 2000).]
One word...
wow!
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Come to the TimeSlide (
http://timeslide.homestead.com/index.html).
Thanks to Jedi Kanigget for the pic.