This image shows the fins of several gray whales above the surface of the water

Recent Sightings


  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025

    In loving memory of Jane Goodall, one of the most amazing and inspirational people of all time. Her tireless commitment to the diversity and well being of all species on the planet is truly remarkable. May we all live in the harmony and peaceful existence that Jane Goodall envisioned.

    I had the privilege of meeting Jane in 2008 at an educational conference held in New York City that I attended with my friend and colleague, Erin Oshan.


  • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

    Today was quite windy and this created significant white caps on the ocean along with haze. Blows were difficult to detect.

    AT SAUNDERS REEF:

    ♦️ 14 brown pelicans flying north and 8 flying south

    AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

    ♦️ 13 black oystercatchers

    ♦️ 5 harbor seals swimming at high tide

    ♦️ 2 American kestrels

    ♦️ 22 brown pelicans flying north


  • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

    We encountered thick fog at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. We observed:

    🌀 5 harbor seals swimming around their haul out at high tide

    🌀 18 black oystercatchers

    🌀 13 black turnstones

    🌀 1 sharp-shinned hawk

    Unfortunately, the fog followed us to Saunders Reef and no whales were seen at either site.


  • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025

    Offshore haziness limited our visibility.

    AT SAUNDERS REEF:

    ❇️ 1 humpback – taking long, deep dives

    ❇️ 5 northbound brown pelicans

    AT POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE:

    ❇️ 8 harbor seals swimming and bottling around their haul out sites at high tide

    ❇️ 3 black oystercatchers

    ❇️ 4 black turnstones

    ❇️ 1 American kestrel

    ❇️ 1 brown pelican flying south and 8 flying north


  • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

    Today was less foggy but cloudy and gray. There was very little distinction between ocean and sky.

    AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

    💠 1 humpback whale seen because of one full breach and big splash

    💠 42 harbor seals

    💠 3 American kestrels

    💠 brown pelicans; 8 feeding, 34 flying north; 15 flying south

    🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺

    💠 1 humpback whale seen by Shari Goforth off Gualala Point Regional Park beach