Author: tmercer

Today presented us with ideal observation conditions. There was excellent  visibility at all three locations where we observed. We had no wind which allowed the blows to remain suspended and be easily seen. Backs were also visible. 🔷 AT VISTA POINT at the north end of Irish Beach: 🔶 NO WHALES SEEN 🔷 AT THE…

Today we had a mix of sun and clouds over a calm ocean. There was a light breeze and very good visibility. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:   🟪 7 humpback whales – one group of two and five singles; one single breached four times; all whales were between 2 and 4…

Observing off Gualala Beach from behind the Surf Market we spotted one humpback whale slowly making his or her way south. Hundreds of gulls and pelicans were resting on the beach, floating in the estuary, and taking frequent, short  flights over the ocean.

On this cloudy, overcast day at the Point Aren Lighthouse peninsula , the ocean was calm and there was a light breeze from the northwest. We had good visibility. ♦️ 2 humpback whales – singles ♦️ 23 harbor seals – out going high tide ♦️ 1 great blue heron ♦️ 1 red-tailed hawk ♦️ 2…

We observed today at Vista Point which is at the north end of Irish Beach.   There was some offshore haziness that limited our visibility slightly. 🔷 3 humpback whales – two together and a third close by; no significant movement north or south 🔷 37 brown pelicans flying north 🔷 1 breaching humpback seen…

Today, we spotted our first humpback whales while at Ignite Fitness, formerly the Physical  Gym in the  Cypress Village in Gualala. The excellent  visibility we had there was also at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. 🔆 3 humpback whales – singles off Gualala Beach 🔆 1 humpback whale swimming north close to shore at PAL…

A bright and sunny day at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. No wind, no fog, excellent visibility. ✅ 6 humpback whales – all singles; one breached once ✅ No harbor seals – high tide ✅ 1 sea lion swimming north ✅ 1 great blue heron ✅ 1 red-tailed hawk ✅ Approximately 100-125 brown pelicans flying…

Windy but no fog today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. The wind was blowing 24 mph with gusts of 36 mph from the north northwest.  This resulted in an ocean covered with large and frequent whitecaps. 💠 6 humpback whales; three sets of two; each set of two whales was within a feeding group…

Today was quite cloudy at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. There was very little distinction between the sky, the ocean, and whale blows. ♦️ 1 humpback whale slowly swimming to the north ♦️ 6-8 harbor seals swimming around their haul out sites at high tide ♦️ 3 black oystercatchers ♦️ 4 black turnstones ♦️ 1…

Unfortunately, the dense fog at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula resulted in zero visibility. ❇️ NO WHALES SEEN ❇️ 11 harbor seals at high tide ❇️ 67 brown pelicans flying north

Upon our arrival at Gerstle Cove this morning, we were greeted by thick fog. We patiently waited for the fog to recede and our perseverance paid  off. By late morning, we could see all the way to the horizon and the sea was very calm. 🔆 12 humpbacks – two sets of two and eight…

The ocean was choppy and there were many small whitecaps  today at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park. As the day progressed, the wind speed got significantly stronger.  Visibility was excellent most of the day. ✳️ 19 humpback whales – *three sets of two and thirteen singles ranging from about 600 yards offshore to…