**Update: The Condor Express crew logged sightings of six more humpback whales on Wednesday
A humpback whale put on a show Tuesday for passengers aboard the Condor Express out of Santa Barbara, marking that vessel's first humpback whale sighting of the season.
"We've heard rumors of these beasts coming back into the Santa Barbara Channel for a few days, and BINGO! Today we had one," read an email alert sent to frequent customers.
It's an early sighting. Humpback whales, which migrate into Southern California waters from the south, typically don't start showing until late April or early May.
The sighting comes less than a week after rare sightings of a large sperm whale pod off Long Beach and San Diego.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo: Humpback whale shows its fluke to passengers aboard the Condor Express during a friendly encounter on Tuesday. Credit: Bob Perry
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