Recent Sightings

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA

• No whales seen today
• 41 harbor seals
• two adult ravens tending to four growing and hungry chicks which seem just about ready to fledge from their nest
• one adult bald eagle, quickly and efficiently escorted out of the area by the two adult ravens
• one great blue heron
• 8 pelicans flying north
• 1 charismatic raccoon
• still extremely windy, blowing northwest at  28-35 mph with 9-10 foot seas

Although these strong  winds greatly reduce our visibility for spotting whales and their blows, it does serve a valuable purpose in the ocean.  According to NOAA Fisheries:

Upwelling can occur year-round off the northern and central California coast. The winds transport surface waters (upper 15 m) offshore, which are replaced by the upwelling of deep (100-125 m), cold (8°C), and nutrient-rich waters from the shelf break region. 

The upwelled water fuels high phytoplankton production and subsequent high biomass of copepods, euphausiids, and other zooplankton during the summer. 

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA

• 2 HUMPBACKS TRAVELING SOUTH ABOUT 2-3 MILES OFFSHORE
• 42 harbor seals, including 4 mother/pup pairs
• 1 sea lion and 2 or more heard barking in the distance
• 2 adult ravens, 4 chicks in the nest growing larger and stronger each day
• 1 charismatic raccoon
• 3 pelicans flying south
• 1 red-tailed hawk

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA

• no whales seen
• 47 harbor seals, including 6 mother/pup pairs
• 1 gopher
• 1 charismatic raccoon
• 2 adult ravens tending to their four growing and hungry chicks
• dozens of pelicans
• wind northwest 12-15 mph
• scattered whitecaps
• visibility 4-6 miles into distant haze

Observations  from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula

• no whales seen
• 64 harbor seals hauled out, including 10 – 12 mother/pup pairs
• 1 Northern Harrier
• 1 red tailed hawk
• 2 adult ravens with their four chicks growing and covered with black feathers
• a male and female American goldfinch
• 1 charismatic raccoon
• still windy today, becoming overcast

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula

• No whales seen
• 2-3 sea lions
• 1 harbor seal swimming
• 2 adult ravens, 4 chicks in their nest
• 1 charismatic raccoon
• doe and tiny newborn fawn
• strong winds at 25-30 mph northwest
• numerous whitecaps and spray