WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 7-9, 2003

A windy weekend at the Farallones prevented us from getting two of our trips out, but the trip on Friday November 7th was a winner. Throughout the day we saw 6 humpbacks, with great looks at 2 of them up close. We saw open-mouth feeding, and one humpback was seen on its back with both pectoral flippers up. We also saw 40-50 Pacific white-sided dolphins around the boat, and 3 Northern right whale dolphins. Other highlights included 200 California sea lions, 4 Steller sea lions, 30 Northern elephant seals, and 30 harbor seals. In addition, we saw 21 species of birds including 8 Western grebes, 40 Northern fulmars, 3 Pink-footed shearwater, 4 Buller's shearwater, and 6 Sooty shearwater. 3 species of cormorants and phalaropes were seen, along with 60 Brown pelicans, 1 Black oystercatcher, 1 Pomarine jaeger, 1 Parasitic jaeger, 4 species of gulls, 300 Common murres, and 3 Cassin's auklets.

WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 2, 2003

Trip Report: As we move into November, the sightings are still going strong out at the Farallones! Our expert naturalists recorded another amazing weekend of whales and other marine life at the islands. Here's what we saw... Friday's (10/31/03) trip encountered 20 humpbacks throughout the day. Two of which were feeding within 10-20 feet from the standing still boat for about an hour. Participants also got to see excellent views of humpbacks feeding alongside Pacific white-sided dolphins. Other highlights included 1 gray whale, about 50 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 2 Northern right-whale dolphins, harbor porpoise, California sea lions, harbor seals, 2 Northern fur seals, and 1 adult sea otter. 19 species of birds were also seen, including Tufted Puffins, Black-footed Albatross, and 3 species of shearwaters.

Saturday's (11/1/03) trip saw 20 humpbacks, with behaviors such as lunge-feeding and breaching in the distance. One gray whale was seen at Southeast Farallon Island, Pacific white-sided dolphins were seen throughout the day, along with 5 Northern right-whale dolphins. Other highlights included 1 blue shark - a six-footer which followed a school of fish under the boat, California sea lions, 5 harbor seals, 12 harbor porpoise, and 15 bowriding Dall's porpoises. 16 species of birds were also noted including Western grebes, Clark's grebes, 3 species of cormorants, 3 Black Oystercatchers, 2 Phalarope sp., 1 Pomarine jaeger, California gulls, Common murres, Cassin's auklet, and feeding shearwaters and fulmars.

Sunday's (11/2/03) trip also had a great day watching 15-20 humpbacks. The humpbacks were everywhere, including underneath and all around the standing still vessel. Other highlights included 25 Pacific white-sided dolphins, pinnipeds, and 15 species of birds.

WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 25-26, 2003

The Oceanic Society had another amazing weekend of wildlife at the Farallon Islands - and Cordell Bank! Saturday's Farallones trip (10/25) saw 24 humpbacks, 9 blues, and 1 gray whale out in the krill-rich waters at the Farallones. The humpbacks were in groups of 2-3, and they were displaying a variety of behaviors for our guests, such as breaching, pectoral slapping, and fluking. The blues were also very active, as we watched them lying on their sides to take gulps of water and krill. We could see their pectoral fin and fluke as they were doing this. The lone gray was seen near SE Farallon Island. Other highlights from the trip included 5 harbor porpoise, hundreds of California sea lions, 25 harbor seals, and 19 species of birds.

Sunday's (10/26) Farallon Island trip was also exceptional! We watched 20-30 humpbacks throughout the day, all in groups of 1-3 with each encounter lasting 15-30 minutes. Behaviors included surface lunge-feeding with sardines, trumpet blows, lots of surface activity, and whale breath! One pair surfaced <100 yards from the boat! The other highlight of the day was watching 200+ Pacific white-sided dolphins in a feeding frenzy along side the humpbacks! There was also 1 juvenile gray whale, 5 Northern right whales, 5 harbor porpoise, 10 Dalls porpoise, 4 blue sharks, California sea lions, Steller sea lions, Northern elephant seals, harbor seals, 2 Northern fur seals and 19 species of birds, including 100's of Northern fulmars, 4 species of shearwaters, phalaropes, American white pelican, 3 species of gulls and cormorants, and Cassin's auklets.

But the highlight of the weekend was on our Cordell Bank trip Sunday 10/26 which departed out of Bodega Bay! Every moment of the trip was spectacular, starting with one of the most amazing orca sightings we've ever seen on our local trips. Just 3/4 of a mile off-shore at Fort Ross, the boat was yards away from 25 feeding orcas in a complex social group. Later on in the day, we came across 35 blues, 35 humpbacks, and 1 minke whale at Cordell Bank. It was a huge feeding frenzy at north end of Cordell, all seen in groups of 1-3's. Participants could see carpets and carpets of krill, which attracted the humpbacks and blues, along with many seabirds right alongside the vessel. As if the trip couldn't get any better, we also watched 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins at Bodega Canyon, 4 Risso's dolphins at Cordell Bank, 1 ocean sunfish, 4 blue sharks, 2 California sea lions, 1 Steller sea lions, 2 harbor seals, and an incredible 27 species of birds; including, 3 Black-footed albatross, 2 species of loons, grebes, phalaropes and pelicans, 7 species of gulls (including a Sabine's gull), 3 species of Shearwaters, Northern fulmars, Common murres, Pigeon guillemot, Cassin's and Rhinoceros auklets, and Surf scoters. Definitely one of our best trips ever!

WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 11-12, 2003

We had an exceptional trip to the Farallones this past weekend where we saw unique events ranging from a Great White shark attack to rolling and head-breaching blue whales, to full breaching humpbacks. Naturalist Susan Sherman, who has led Farallon Island trips for the Oceanic Society for over a decade, was amazed to see such diverse displays of behaviors. She noted that 2 adult blue whales were seen traveling northward 5 miles NW of the SF Farallon Islands -- when they abruptly changed direction and started traveling SW -- the next time we saw them was as a trio and one began head breaching (lunging) horizontally repeatedly. For approximately 40 minutes, all 3 blue whales were moving quickly around in the same area slashing their flukes (tails) horizontally and head breaching repeatedly, and then rolling over with side flippers and ends of the flukes showing at different times. In addition to these 3, we saw 5 other blue whales throughout the day, and over 30 humpbacks. One humpback breached 4 times near the boat, and one was lunge-feeding at the surface.

We also saw our first White Shark attack of the season on Saturdays trip. A juvenile white shark, about 15 feet in length, killed a California sea lion in the north end of Mirounga Bay. We watched for over 45 minutes as the shark repeatedly returned to take bites out of the sea lion. We saw the head of the shark and the dorsal and tail fins as it twisted off bites.

Other highlights from the trip included 5 harbor porpoise, California sea lions and harbor seals, and 18 species of birds including Pink-footed and Sooty shearwaters, Red-necked and Red phalaropes, 3 species of cormorants and gulls, Brown pelican, Surf scoter, Cassins and Rhinoceros auklets, and Caspian and Elegant terns.

WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 4-6, 2003

Another fantastic weekend of nature cruisin' at the Farallones! Check out this statistic... 146! That's the total number of whale sightings last weekend! On Saturday's 10/4/03 trip, we watched at least 30 humpbacks and 8 blues just west of the Farallones. The humpbacks and the blues were around the boat for 1.5 hours, some of which came within 20 - 30 feet of the standing still boat, and we were able to see both species feed on krill! We also saw 1 gray whale near SE Farallon Island. Other highlights included 6 common dolphins, 16 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 12 Northern right whale dolphins, 3 harbor porpoise, 1 blue shark, 20 California sea lions, and 13 species of birds including 1 South Polar skua - along with all the regulars.

Sunday's (10/5/03) trip was not to be out-done.. and saw 40+ humpbacks, 3 blues and 1 gray whale. The waters where the oceanic and continental shelf meet creates an upwelling of nutrient-rich food for the whales. And today we got to see the humpbacks feeding in a line right along this shelf. Other highlights included 25 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 15 Northern right whale dolphins, 10 harbor porpoise, 1 ocean sunfish, lots of California sea lions, 5 harbor seals, and 12 species of birds.

We also had a Monday trip (10/6/03) depart this weekend. This trip watched 60 humpbacks anywhere between 10 yards to 3 miles away from the boat. Behaviors included breaching, cart-wheeling, flipper and fluke slaps and waves, and 2 friendly encounters. We also saw 3 blues, one of which was a juvenile about 50-60 feet in size, less than 100 yards from the boat seen lunge-feeding. The other pair were about 100 yards away, and one of them showed its flukes for everyone on board. Other highlights included 30 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 100 Northern right-whale dolphins, 12 harbor porpoise, 300 California sea lions, 15 Northern elephant seals, and 19 species of birds including 2 Black-footed albatross, 5 Western grebes, 3 species of shearwaters and cormorants, 9 brown pelicans, 1 Black Oyester-catcher, 16 Red-necked Phalaropes, 1 Pomarine Jaeger, gulls, Common Murres, 5 Cassin's Auklets, and 1 Rhinoceros Auklet.

WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 26-28, 2003

Farallon Nature Cruise participants were delighted to see a variety of marine life this past weekend! Friday's 9/26/03 trip saw close looks at 1 gray whale, 8 lunge-feeding blues, and between 20-22 humpbacks, 10 of which were within 200 m of the boat at once, and 1 of them breached right in front of the boat! Other highlights included 300 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 15-20 Northern right whale dolphins, 15-20 harbor porpoise, 7 ocean sunfish, 12 blue sharks, and 4 species of pinnipeds including 300 California sea lions, 4 Stellar sea lions, 25 Northern elephant seals, and 3 Northern fur seals! 20 species of seabirds were also seen.

Saturday's (9/27/03) trip saw 1 gray whale within 200 yards from the boat for 30 minutes, 8 blues - 3 of which were 200-300 yards of the boat for 40 minutes, and 8 humpbacks! 3 of the humpbacks were 10 feet from the standing still boat for 40 minutes, and there were 2 breaching humpbacks 100 yards from the boat, with 4 breaches each. Spectacular! Other highlights from the trip included 15-20 harbor porpoise, ocean sunfish, California sea lions, Northern elephant seals, and harbor seals, along with 18 species of seabirds.

Sunday's (9/28/03) cruise watched 2 blues for 30 minutes within 300 yards of the boat, along with 16 humpbacks in groups of 2-5 with breaching in the distance. Other highlights included harbor porpoise, 4 ocean sunfish, California sea lions, Northern elephant seals, and harbor seals as well as 18 species of birds including 4 species of shearwaters and the Northern fulmer, 3 species of cormorants, 2 species of gulls, Brown pelican, Cassin's auklet, Pomarine jaeger, Western grebe, and an Ashy storm-petrel. All making for another fantastic weekend of sightings out at the Farallones.

WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 20-21, 2003

We had another amazing weekend out at the Farallones. Saturday's (9/20) trip watched about 30 humpbacks and 10 blues, who were seen in groups, and were surrounding the boat! Other highlights included harbor porpoise, and 4 species of pinnipeds including California sea lions, Steller sea lions, Northern elephant seals, harbor seals. Also seen were 13 species of seabirds.

Sunday's trip was just as spectacular, with at least 30 humpbacks and 6 blues. The whales were spread out in singles and pairs, with some surfacing within 100 yards of the boat. Participants were able to observe them for 10-15 minutes each, seeing such behaviors as breaching, flipper-slapping, trumpet blowing, and surfacing. Other highlights from the day included 2 ocean sunfish, 5-10 harbor porpoise, 100's of California sea lions, 5+ Steller sea lions, 10+ Northern elephant seals, and 1 Northern fur seal - which we don't observe too often out there! In addition, there were 14 species of seabirds seen around the islands.

WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2003

Another incredible weekend of humpback and blue whale sightings out at the Farallon Islands this weekend! Friday's (9/12) trip were delighted to watch 10 humpbacks diving all around and under the boat, with 3 blue whales nearby. We also saw 10 Risso's dolphins, 10 harbor porpoise, 1 ocean sunfish, ~300 California sea lions, and 30 harbor seals on this trip as well. Bird species included 10 Tufted Puffins, 2 Black-footed Albatross, 1000's of phalaropes, 2 species of shearwaters, Cassin's Auklet, and Pomarine jaeger.

Saturday's (9/13) trip saw 8 humpbacks and 6 blues. Both species were seen deep dive feeding, and the humpbacks were anywhere from 10 feet to 100 yards from the standing still boat, while the blues ranged from 100 - 200 yards from the boat. Other highlights included 12 harbor porpoise, California sea lions, harbor seals, and 19 species of seabirds, including Tufted puffins, Black-footed Albatross, 3 species of shearwaters, Parasitic and Long-tailed jaegers, 3 species of cormorants, Cassin's and Rhinoceros auklets, brown pelicans, phalaropes, and 2 species of gulls.

But the trip of the weekend was on Sunday (9/14), where we saw 7 humpbacks, 5 blues and 1 minke whale out at the Farallones! 1 of the humpbacks breached 10 times in a row about 200 yards from the boat, while 2 humpbacks came within 15 feet of the standing still boat. We were also lucky to see 2 of the blues lunge feeding, an awesome sight to say the least. But the sightings didn't stop there! We also saw 100+ Pacific white-sided dolphins (with calves!), and 20 Northern right whale dolphins wave-riding and bow-riding! Other highlights included 5 harbor porpoise, 200 California sea lions, 10 harbor selas, 2 ocean sunfish, and 1 blue shark! 20 bird species were seen, including 7 Tufted puffins, 1 Black-footed Albatross, and many of the same species as Saturday's trip.

WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 6-7, 2003

Just when we thought the sightings couldn't get any better... they did. On Saturday's (9/6/03) trip to the Farallon Islands, participants were amazed and delighted to see 35 humpback whales and 9 blues on their 8-hour nature cruise. The humpbacks were mostly split up into about 5 groups, within 3 miles SE Farallon Island. For almost 2 hours, we watched the humpbacks feed, many of which were literally yards from our standing still boat. We were able to see their eyes, baleen, roofs of their open mouths, while they lunge-fed into the water in tandem. Then we saw the throat pleats distended, with krill-reddened water streaming out. Other behaviors included breaching and tail-lobbing. There were also cow-calf pairs seen in groups. Of the 8 blues we watched, a few were also feeding in the krill-rich waters, while others were travelling by. Other highlights from the day included 1 Leatherback Turtle. It was noted to be 4-5 feet in length and they are not often seen on our trips. We also saw 4 ocean sunfish, 3 blue sharks, California sea lions, one harbor seal, over 65 harbor porpoise, and 10 Tufted Puffins. Another amazing day at the Farallones.

WEEKEND OF AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 1, 2003

Another incredible weekend of wildlife out at the Farallon Islands over Labor Day weekend. On Saturday's (8/30/03) trip, whale watchers were treated to views of 25 humpbacks and 6 blues! One humpback breached right next to the boat, while others were seen breaching in the distance. The rest of the humpbacks were seen in groups of 2's and 3's, many were close to the boat. The blues were also near the boat, feeding just under the surface of the water. Other highlights included 30 Pacific white-sided dolphins riding the bow of the boat, 15-20 harbor porpoise, California sea lions, harbor seals, and 16 species of birds including Black-footed Albatross and Tufted Puffins.

Sunday's (8/31/03) trip also watched 25 humpbacks and saw great looks at 6 blues. The humpbacks were in groups of 4, right next to the vessel. Also during this trip, some concern was raised when participants saw one humpback entangled in yellow crab pot lines, attached to floats. The whale was seen in close association with a calf and both may still be in the area. The Oceanic Society cooperates with the MMC by reporting distressed animals. Sightings of injured or stranded marine mammals should be reported at once to The Marine Mammal Center's 24-hour hotline: 415-289-SEAL. Other highlights from Sunday's trip included 1 blue shark, 300+ California sea lions, about 70 harbor seals, 10 harbor porpoise and 22 species of birds including albatross and Tufted Puffins.

Monday's (9/1/03) trip was also incredible. Participants watched 11 blues feeding and surfacing near the boat, with one fluking. There were also 15 humpbacks seen well, with some as close as 50m from the standing still boat. Other highlights included 170 California sea lions, 2 Stellar sea lions, 9 Northern elephant seals, 25 harbor seals, 3 harbor porpoise, and an incredible 26 species of birds including 14 Tufted Puffins!

WEEKEND OF AUGUST 23-24, 2003

Farallon Island goers were treated to quite a show this weekend. Its not too often we see displays of breaching by the humpbacks out at the islands, but that's about all we saw on Saturday's 8/23/03 trip. Participants were delighted to watch 20-30 humpbacks for one and a half hours, along with 10-15 blue whales for 35 minutes. The highlight of the day came when 4 of the humpbacks breached in unison, followed by 2 cow/calf humpback pairs breaching together. We also saw 8-10 Grampus (Risso's) dolphins breaching right next to the boat. Other species observed included 15-20 harbor porpoise, ocean sunfish, California sea lions, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and 15 species of seabirds, including tufted puffins.

But the sightings didn't stop there! Sunday's 8/24/03 trip also had an amazing day with looks of 20 humpback whales and 6 blues. The humpbacks were in pairs of 3, traveling very close to the boat, with some of them breaching, tail-lobbing, and fluking. We also had great looks at the blues who were spread out in singles and pairs in the krill-rich waters. Another highlight was watching 200 Pacific white-sided dolphins and between 75-100 Northern right-whale dolphins riding the bow of the boat. We also saw 25-30 harbor porpoise and 15 Dall's porpoise bow-riding as well. Other species seen included California sea lions, harbor seals, ocean sunfish, and 16 species of birds including tufted puffins and black-footed albatross.

WEEKEND OF AUGUST 16-18, 2003

Another exciting weekend out at the Farallones this week! Check it out...

Saturday's (8/16/03) trip saw 5 Humpbacks total, 3 of which we got great looks at for over 30 minutes with surfacing and fluking next to the boat. We also saw 30-35 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 10-12 Northern right whale dolphins, 15-20 harbor porpoise, 800+ California sea lions, 10-12 Steller sea lions, and 25-30 Harbor seals. Another highlight was watching 3 thresher sharks out at the islands! 19 species of birds were seen including 4 Tufted Puffins, 2 Black-footed Albatross, 1 Northern Fulmar, 1 Pink-footed Shearwater, 15-20 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 species of phalaropes and cormorants, and 1 Parasitic Jaeger. Seas were calm, with little wind.

Sunday's 8/17/03 trip watched 3 humpback whales close to the boat, with great looks at their fluking, blowing, and diving. We also saw40 Northern right whale dolphins, 14 harbor porpoise, lots of California sea lions and harbor seals, and 20 species of birds, including 7 Tufted Puffins, 6 Black-footed Albatross, 3 species of shearwaters, terns and cormorants, and 3 Ashy Storm-Petrels.

We also had a special Monday (8/18/03) trip this weekend. Highlights included 8 humpbacks which displayed breaching, feeding, and fluking behaviors. 2 of the 8 were a cow/calf pair. Other highlights included 10-12 Northern right whale dolphins and 20-25 Pacific white-sided dolphins riding the bow of the boat. We also saw 6-8 harbor porpoise, 1 ocean sunfish, one blue shark, 700 California sea lions, 6-8 Steller sea lions, and 25-30 harbor seals, along with 25 species of birds! Bird species included 3 Black-footed Albatross, 3 species of shearwaters, cormorants, gulls and phalaropes, 1 Ashy Storm-petrel, 25 brown pelicans, 1 Black Oystercatcher, 1 Parasitic jaeger, Caspien and Elegant terns, common murres, Pigeon guillemots, and Cassin's & Rhinoceros Auklets.

WEEKEND OF AUGUST 8-10, 2003

Trip Report: This past weekend we had three trips head under the Golden Gate and out to the Farallon Islands. Participants were delighted to see such a variety of wildlife at the Gulf of the Farallones Marine Sanctuary. Combining the sightings for the weekend, we observed three gray whales, three blue whales, and over 52 humpbacks! Whale behaviors included breaching (one calf breached five times near the boat!), lunge feeding and surface feeding (showing extension of ventral plates), and fluking. Several cow/calf humpback pairs were also seen. Other highlights included thousands of California sea lions, five Steller sea lions, one Northern elephant seal, 50+ Harbor seals, and at least two Northern fur seals which we don't see too often. We also saw 18 harbor porpoise, one ocean sunfish, seven albacore tuna, and 25 species of birds including three Black-footed Albatross, 20 Tufted Puffins, two Ashy Storm-Petrels, Red and Red-necked Phalarope, one Pomarine Jaeger, three species of cormorants, Black Oystercatchers, Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklets, Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters, and the Red-throated Loon to name a few.

WEEKEND OF AUGUST 2-3, 2003

Participants on this weekend's trips had a whale of a time out at the Farallon Islands! Saturday's trip (8/2/03) saw one gray whale, three blue whales, and 12-15 humpbacks. Of the three blues, we saw a cow/calf pair, while the third blue was rolling on its side and waving its pectoral fin. We also saw a cow/calf humpback pair, and got great looks at the others. We were also fortunate enough to see hundreds of Pacific white-sided dolphins and Northern right-whale dolphins leaping wildly, and riding the bow of the boat. Other sightings included 25-35 harbor porpoise, California sea lions, Northern (Steller) sea lions, harbor seals, one ocean sunfish, and 19 species of sea birds including two tufted puffins and two black-footed albatross.

Sunday trip (8/3/03) also saw an abundance of marine life out at the Farallones. We saw two gray whales next to SE Farallon Island, 8-10 blue whales just before the islands, and about 25 humpbacks scattered about. Sunday's trip also saw 150 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 3-5 Northern right-whale dolphins, 71 harbor porpoise, California sea lions, harbor seals, two ocean sunfish, and 15 species of seabirds, including tufted puffins, and one black-footed albatross. Both trips experienced calm glassy seas, making it a perfect weekend out there.

WEEKEND OF JULY 26-27, 2003

July 26, 2004 Another spectacular weekend out at the Farallon Islands this weekend. Saturday's trip watched two blue whales for over 30 minutes, with close looks near the boat. They also saw eleven humpbacks, in two different groups. Just west of SE Farallon Islands, the humpbacks were very close to the standing-still boat, while on-lookers could hear them"huff" loudly as they blew. We also saw a cow/calf humpback pair. Other highlights included rolling humpback behaviors, fluking, harbor porpoise, and 16 species of seabirds, including one black-footed albatross, and several tufted puffins.

Sunday's trip (7/27/03) produced two grays, one blue, and 25 humpbacks! The two grays were juveniles, seen less than 100 yards from the boat on and off for 20 minutes around SE Farallon Island. Then we headed further west where we spotted one blue, surfacing in front of the boat several times in a circle, a common feeding behavior. Then came the humpbacks... they were spread out in groups of 2-5, in every direction of the boat. Known as "friendly encounters", two humpbacks continued to surface just yards away, blowing their breath all over the Oceanic Society whale-watchers! Stinky, but how often can one say they were breathed on by a whale! Other behaviors included lob-tailing, flipper-slapping, trumpet blows, and fluking. Other highlights from the trip included >1000 California sea lions, 5+ Northern sea lion, 1 Northern elephant seal, 20+ harbor seals, 10 + harbor porpoise, and 16 species of sea birds including 4 tufted puffins, and 2 black-footed albatross.

WEEKEND OF JULY 19, 2003

Whales! Whales! Whales! This weekend's trip saw five different species of whales out at the Farallon Islands, including six humpbacks, excellent sightings of eight blue whales, one gray, and one minke whale! The boat also had a good view of a dead Baird's beaked whale en route to the Farallones. It was reported to be floating and bloated, probably dead for some time. The whale later washed up on Ocean Beach, where it was buried. At this time, the cause of the death is unknown. Saturday's trip also saw about 300 California sea lions, a Northern (Steller) sea lion, and 14 species of birds, including three tufted puffins who were very visible, flying right along side the boat.

WEEKEND OF JULY 12-13, 2003

Trips cancelled due to hazardous sea conditions.

WEEKEND OF JULY 5, 2003

We had great looks at 4 humpbacks and 1 gray whale on Saturday's trip to the Farallon Islands. Participants were fortunate to see one of the humpbacks breach 5 times within 400 yards of the boat! We also watched 2 of the humpbacks right next to the standing still boat for about 30 minutes. Other highlights included 5 harbor porpoise, California sea lions, Northern sea lions, harbor seals, and 14 species of sea birds, including tufted puffins.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 28-29, 2003

We had another incredible weekend out at the Farallones. Highlights from Saturday's trip included 3 gray whales, 8 humpbacks, about 40 Pacific white-sided dolphins riding on the bow of the boat, and a breath-taking 8 orcas (killer whales) which are a rare sight out at the Farallones. The orcas and humpbacks were seen at the surface and just yards from the boat. We also saw ocean sunfish, 10 harbor porpoise, 19 species of birds, including black-footed albatross, and tufted puffins.

There was an abundance of marine life on Sunday's trip as well. We had great looks at 3 gray whales, 6 humpbacks who we observed for an hour just a few yards from the boat, 60-80 Pacific white-sided dolphins riding on the bow of the boat, 12-15 Grampus (Risso's) dolphins, and 5 Northern right whale dolphins seen at the surface. Other highlights included ocean sunfish, California sea lions, Northern (Steller) sea lions, harbor seals, 15 harbor porpoise, 1 Dall's porpoise, and 18 species of seabirds, including black-footed albatross and tufted puffins.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 21, 2003

Trip Report: Trip cancelled due to hazardous sea conditions.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 14, 2003

Trip Report: We had another good trip out at the Farallones this weekend. Saturday's trip had great looks at 1 gray whale next to SE Farallon Island. The Superfish also spent about 25 minutes watching 2 blue whales, and 4-6 humpbacks. Other highlights included views of over 400 California sea lions, 1 Norhtern (Steller) sea lion, 45 Northern elephant seals, and over 35 harbor seals. We also saw 15 species of birds, including 5 tufted puffins, 2 Cassin's auklets, 3 Rhinoceros auklets, grebes, gulls, sooty shearwaters, and 4 Caspian terns to name a few.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 7, 2003

Trip Report: The Oceanic Society officially started up its 31st season of naturalist-led whale watching trips out to the Farallon Islands, and what a weekend it was! Highlights included watching 1 humpback whale for 30 minutes, which surfaced right next to our standing still boat, causing much excitement and surprise for everyone on board. We also got great looks at 2 gray whales, 2 blue sharks, over 50 harbor porpoise, as well as groups of California sea lions, Northern (Steller) sea lions, and harbor seals. Another highlight included watching 2 different groups of over 50 Pacific white-sided dolphins swimming and jumping along the Continental Shelf! June is a great month to see a variety of species of sea birds out at the Farallon Islands. On this trip we saw 20 different species of sea birds, including two black-footed albatross, two tufted puffins, and a lost black turnstone at sea. The seas were flat and calm, it doesn't get much better than that!