These photographs were taken with my 100-400mm lens on while aboard San Diego Whale Watch’s new boat, the Inspiration. This was its first extended trip and to say ocean conditions were favorable for us is an understatement. I've been going out with them regularly on their shorter tours for many years and have a membership which is a lot cheaper than operating one’s own vessel. This longer trip afforded us the luxury of enjoying and capturing the action without having to get back to shore for the next group. That happened to me recently when we spotted two sperm whale spouts in the distance. I had to repress the waterworks because they’re a very rare sighting in San Diego and I’ve never gotten to see one anywhere. Less aesthetic crops of the whales’ flukes will go on Happywhale for research use.
A large bait ball of sardines drew the attention of many seabirds, a large pod of long-beaked common dolphins and numerous humpback whales.
Anyone seen any seabirds around here?
A female humpback and her calf were traveling with two others for awhile.
You can see La Jolla and Black Mountain in the distance behind this humpback going on a dive.
I don’t mind shooting into the glare sometimes and think the results can be pretty magical.
Minke whales are extremely fast and I was lucky to catch proof of life.
We always stop to say “hi” to the California sea lions basking on the bait dock buoy.