Our Channel Islands
Ecology, environment, natural wonders
I’ve sailed the waters off California for more than 15 years, but I
haven’t earned a Ph.D. in oceanography, biology, marine studies, or
ecology. In fact, I don’t have a Ph.D. in any discipline, but we have
many neighbors who do. If you want the scientific low-down on our
stretch of ocean or an idea of what we might encounter on our cruise,
you can get right to the experts using the links to the right that will take
you to the National Park Service, experts on Cetaceans (whales,
porpoises and the like), experts on our weather and climate, tide
tables and other things I find useful or at least interesting.
Big interest – Whales and dolphins
It’s often possible to spot grey whales from the shore. When they
return from Mexico the cows herd their calves north in the safety of
the shore. It’s a dangerous place for young greys as Orcas find them
particularly attractive. I’m trying not to wax anthropomorphic here,
but there is a particularly nasty pod of Orcas that lurk south of the
Channel Islands. They appear to kill just for the hell of it. If you
watch enough of the National Geographic channel, you’ll see that one
theory is that they are training the young Orcas to hunt. Maybe. In any
event, Greys have found it useful to travel close to the beach. We
can’t guarantee that you’ll see any, but we’re always on the lookout.
If you’re just interested in seeing whales, we suggest you sign on with
Island Packers. Their big catamarans are fast and range far out.
They’ll even take you out to see Blue Whales, the largest animal ever
on this planet and humpbacks like the one pictured above. They’ve got many opportunities for whale watching as
well as trips to the islands.
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