OrnithologyDevotee
Well-known member
I had the pleasure of going on a 2.5 hour whale watching trip down in San Diego with the company "Gone Whale Watching". I also observed a number of birds by the shore and while out on the water. This is my Ebird checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S235237472
This was my first time whale watching and overall it was a wonderful experience. It was very thrilling when the whales got spotted and amazing to watch them. The boat was very fast and actually kind of scary with how big the waves got farther out. I missed many photos from the big random bumps. You get used to the movement after a while and it becomes very fun to move to different sides of the boat to see the animals. I saw hundreds of dolphins swimming with some following the boat, at least three humpback whales (possibly more, it's hard to tell them apart), the elusive fin whale for a brief time, and a number of birds flying far out in the ocean.
Humpback whales
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The elusive Fin Whale only surfaced a couple times for a few seconds. Then it disappeared. It was very lucky that I got to see it and even luckier I managed to snap a photo with the waves.
Fin Whale
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I saw hundreds of amazing Short-beaked Common Dolphins. They followed the boat and made some very interesting vocalizations!
Short-beaked Common Dolphins
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I saw a good handful of seabirds that have been uploaded to my gallery. All of these photos along with many more I haven't shared yet will be uploaded to my gallery over the next few weeks. Thanks for reading!
This was my first time whale watching and overall it was a wonderful experience. It was very thrilling when the whales got spotted and amazing to watch them. The boat was very fast and actually kind of scary with how big the waves got farther out. I missed many photos from the big random bumps. You get used to the movement after a while and it becomes very fun to move to different sides of the boat to see the animals. I saw hundreds of dolphins swimming with some following the boat, at least three humpback whales (possibly more, it's hard to tell them apart), the elusive fin whale for a brief time, and a number of birds flying far out in the ocean.
Humpback whales
View attachment DSC_0289.jpegView attachment DSC_0353.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0398.jpegView attachment DSC_0400.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0412.jpegView attachment DSC_0418.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0420.jpegView attachment DSC_0429.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0479.jpegView attachment DSC_0570.jpeg
The elusive Fin Whale only surfaced a couple times for a few seconds. Then it disappeared. It was very lucky that I got to see it and even luckier I managed to snap a photo with the waves.
Fin Whale
View attachment DSC_0538.jpeg
I saw hundreds of amazing Short-beaked Common Dolphins. They followed the boat and made some very interesting vocalizations!
Short-beaked Common Dolphins
View attachment DSC_0216.jpegView attachment DSC_0221.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0227.jpegView attachment DSC_0242.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0251.jpegView attachment DSC_0436.jpeg
I saw a good handful of seabirds that have been uploaded to my gallery. All of these photos along with many more I haven't shared yet will be uploaded to my gallery over the next few weeks. Thanks for reading!
