Passengers joining whalers Jack and Alan really had a spectacular
dolphin-watching day!  Twenty bottlenose dolphins enjoyed bow riding the vessel,
followed by an encounter with a megapod of approximately 2,000 dolphins.  All
enjoyed the many marine mammals and birds residing in and around the Islands,
and on the return trip all enjoyed watching the courting ritual of two humpback
whales!   Everyone on board had a wonderful time.

Saturday, April 16
A small pod of bottlenose dolphins escorted the Bright and Morning Star in and
out of San Diego Bay on Saturday.  Passengers joining whalers Ruth and Diane
were thrilled watching a pod of common dolphins, which included some very young
animals.  Everyone on board enjoyed the many marine mammals and birds on the
Islands.   Pelicans and cormorants were observed feeding their young.  Several
jellyfish were spotted in the water.  On the return trip, the spouts and flukes
of a humpback whale were seen; however this whale was quite elusive as was a
minke whale spotted by one of the passengers and Diane.  A mom and calf gray
whale were then observed….the mom usually only blowing bubbles instead of
spouting, to maintain her low profile in the water–a good mom!  The day was
warm and the Islands beautiful….another terrific day on the water.

Submitted by Whaler Diane