Recent Sightings

The ocean was calmer today compared to yesterday but there was still a significant amount of spray creating a haziness. There was absolutely no wind and blows did stay suspended in the air making them easy to spot.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

♒️ 16 southbound gray whales – one group of three, two groups of two, and nine singles; one of the singles breached once

♒️ 93 harbor seals

♒️ 2 American kestrels

♒️ 2 black oystercatchers

♒️ 1 red-tailed hawk

♒️ 22 pelicans flying south

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♒️ TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE 🟰 165 southbound

There were huge waves, between 10-12 feet, crashing into shore creating much spray and rough surf. The constant spray did reduce our visibility somewhat but overall, blows were visible.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

🔶 7 southbound gray whales – all singles ranging from 3/4 miles to 3 1/2 miles offshore; most of the whales fluked

🔶 80 harbor seals

🔶 1 great blue heron

🔶 2 American kestrels

🔶 17 brown pelicans flying south and 5 circling the Lighthouse

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TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE ▶️ 149 southbound

Despite the windy conditions, there was excellent distinction between the ocean and the sky giving us good visibility to spot blows. The wind did cause lots of whitecaps and blows were batted down quickly.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

❇️ 16 southbound gray whales – four pairs of two and eight singles; several of these whales were traveling between 100-300 yards apart

❇️ 91 harbor seals

❇️ 2 great blue herons

❇️ 1 Ferruginous hawk

❇️ 1 Northern harrier

❇️ 26 brown pelicans – mostly flying north, some circling the lighthouse

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TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE ➡️ 142 southbound

Today we had a very calm ocean but the sky was cloudy and there was haziness making it difficult to see blows. However, when whale’s came to the surface to breathe, their backs and flukes were clearly visible.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA :

🟣 14 southbound gray whales – one trio, two duos, seven singles

🟣 77 harbor seals

🟣 1 bobcat hunting in the field

🟣 2 great blue herons

🟣 2 American kestrels

🟣 2 black oystercatchers

🟣 15 brown pelicans

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TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE 🟰 126 southbound

Fantastic visibility and ocean conditions today allowed us to locate blows, observe heads, backs, and flukes, and track whales along their southbound journey.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

🔷 24 southbound gray whales – three groups of three, three groups of two, and nine singles; one whale breached twice; we did see one of the pairs split up as they swam through our observation area

🔷 79 harbor seals

🔷 1 Ferruginous hawk

🔷 1 Northern harrier

🔷 2 American kestrels

🔷 28 brown pelicans flying north, 14 flying south, and approximately 7 floating on the water

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TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE 🟰 112