Author: tmercer

On this cloudy day, whale blows were difficulty to see due to the lack of distinction between the ocean and sky. For most of the day, our observation area  was mono-color.  Thankfully, the ocean was calm and there was little to no wind. ✳️ AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: ♦️2 northbound gray whales –…

The day began with excellent visibility, the ocean was calm and there was a slight wind.  As the day progressed, it became cloudy and we lost the distinction between the ocean and the sky. 🔶 AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: 🔷 7 northbound gray whales- two sets of two and three singles 🔷 76…

The Mendocino Whale Festival continued today at the Point Arena Lighthouse. We were honored to be a part of this event and we thoroughly enjoyed helping many visitors learn about whales and search for whales off the peninsula.  Although there were not many whales in our area, the enthusiasm for finding them was inspiring! Our…

Observations today were at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park.  The ocean was calm, there was a very light wind, but there was a fair Amin t of haziness that reduced our visibility to  about two miles.  The haziness did lessen throughout the day. ❇️ 2 northbound gray whales – a pair traveling together…

Ideal ocean and weather conditions today allowed blows to remain suspended and for us to see backs, head, and flukes. We had excellent visibility clear to the horizon. 🟪 AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: ♦️ 6 northbound gray whales – one trio, one deuce, and one single ♦️ 1 unidentified whale –  approximately three…

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we had good visibility. ✳️ 9 northbound gray whales – including our first mother/calf pair of this season!! one group of three, four singles ✳️ 63 harbor seals ✳️ 2 American kestrels ✳️ 1 osprey ✳️ 3 black oystercatchers 🔆 SHARI GOFORTH SPOTTED TWO NORTHBOUND GRAY WHALES PASSING ONE…

We observed today from the Noyo Center for Marine Science ‘s Crow’s Nest in Fort Bragg. Many people on the Noyo Headlanes Coastal Trail stopped at the Crow’s Nest to learn  about whales and help us spot whales. There was a fairly strong wind, some whitecaps, and the marine layer created haziness. 🔷 5 northbound…

Excellent visibility today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula with a marine layer way off at the horizon and some minor whitecaps. There was a moderate wind. 🔶 8 northbound gray whales – two pairs and four singles 🔶 57 harbor seals 🔶 1 sea lion swimming north 🔶 4 brown pelicans flying north ❇️…

The fog was gone and we had excellent visibility today at the Point  Arena Lighthouse peninsula. We received reports of gray whale sightings from Kate Bloch where she observed several whales traveling north past Gualala Point Island at the north end of the Sea Ranch. In addition, Fred McElroy had sightings of northbound gray whales…

We encountered a second day of unrelenting fog at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula so today’s observations were entirely done at Saunders Reef. There was fog here as well but it retreated and allowed us decent visibility. ♦️ 4 northbound gray whales – one deuce and two singles ♦️ 1 red-tailed hawk 🔶 SHARI GOFORTH…

The day began with a calm ocean and good visibility but unfortunately, a persistent fog rolled in and we could no longer see the ocean at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula.  We relocated south to  Saunders Reef  where the fog remained about 3-4 miles offshore but there were many whitecaps. ❇️ AT PAL: ☘️ NO…

The wind was light and there were just a few whitecaps on the ocean today.  There was haziness way out on the horizon but visibility was excellent. 💠 AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: 🔷 16 northbound gray whales – three groups of two and ten singles 🔷 77 harbor seals 🔷 1 American kestrel…