The Dolphins upstaged the Birds - yes they did.
I was lucky to take two whale watching/pelagic bird voyages in a week: San Diego out of Mission Bay* on September 1st and out of Half Moon Bay^ on September 4th. Both trips were magnificent and totally different. On both trips I added birds to my life list- bird species I had never seen before including: South Polar Skua, Buller's Shearwater and Long-Tailer Jaeger.
Birds
It is super hard to take pictures of fast moving birds from a fast moving boat, on the ocean even with my new camera, but here are a few of the better ones:
ECE41B2E-2FF9-4385-B756-7B4CA60F1B32_1_105_c.jpeg
C692C19D-775E-40AD-8964-97DDA9E15222_1_105_c.jpeg
5850BA7B-9278-4BD3-9925-5DA4A139623C_1_201_a.jpeg
B1D4E5CB-1DD2-4C32-840C-8F30B084BAEF_1_105_c.jpeg
D9BBCE9E-DD33-4F67-A5E0-AF0D85F91FB5_1_105_c.jpeg
FF817F2C-3AD4-4BE1-B753-F11FB6B0943F_1_105_c.jpeg
Whales
Hi there!
In San Diego I saw TWO Blue Whales, the largest thing on earth. The rise out of the water like apartment buildings. 100 ft in length. We were about 10 miles offshore on a beautiful sunny day.
CC4EBBFA-E707-4120-AEEB-3DF249D3AF94_1_105_c.jpeg
Just entering Pioneer Canyon about 15 miles off Half Moon Bay, California we saw TWO Fin Whales, about 70 feet each.
Dolphins
I saved the best for last. GREATER than 1000 dolphins. Enjoy these pictures and videos. I still can't believe the spiritual aspect and serenity of the moment.

2 minute video - please watch in a quiet place... It is followed by a few shorter videos.