Author: tmercer

We had an 80% cloud cover day today but the ocean was calm and there was no wind. Although the cloudiness did not allow for much distinction between the ocean and the sky, visibility was very good. ⚛️ AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA : 🔆 No whales seen 🔆 41 harbor seals – in…

Observations on this absolutely gorgeous day were from Gerstle Cove at Salt Point State Park. Ocean and weather conditions were ideal- excellent visibility clear to the horizon. Blows remained suspended in the air. 🌊  8 northbound gray whales – one trio, one deuce, three singles 🌊  2 gray whales initially seen swimming north, but then…

On this very windy day, the ocean was covered with whitecaps and spray created hazy conditions which definitely limited our visibility and reduced our ability to spot blows. 🔶 AT SAUNDERS REEF: ♦️ No whales seen ♦️ 2 Canada geese – walking along the bluff ♦️ 140 Aleutian cackling geese flying north ♦️ 10 brown…

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…