On a recent whale watching trip to the Santa Barbara Channel via Channel Islands Packers (Condor Express also does whale watching trips) Conejo Valley based photographer Jonathan Stewart and others witnessed more humpback whales than could be counted, a solitary blue whale, an extraordinary number of dolphins and sea lions, and countless other sea creatures as they made their way towards the Channel Islands.

Stewart shares some fantastic shots below. For more of these, visit his website at www.jonathanstewartphotos.com or go directly to his Anacapa Island Whale Watching Album.

This is the head of one of the humpback whales they saw.

Close up of the barnacles lodged on this humpback's tale.Fleeting glimpse of a blue whale, the largest animal to have existed.And of course don't forget the friendly dolphins!

OK just one more (I love these). 3 of about 20 humpbacks feeding on crustaceans.