Author: tmercer

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

    Good visibility today until the wind increased in the afternoon creating a haziness offshore. ALONG THE SALAL TRAIL ON THE NORTH END OF THE SEA RANCH, WE SPOTTED ONE HUMPBACK. KATE BLOCH ALSO REPORTED SEEING SEVERAL BLOWS IN THIS AREA, BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH OF GUALALA POINT ISLAND. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE…

  • MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025

    After 2 days of rain and foggy conditions, we had good visibility today although the wind was blowing 15 mph and gusting to 24 mph. Whitecaps were plentiful AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED: πŸ’  9 humpbacks- one duo and seven singles πŸ’  14 harbor seals – tide still fairly high but receding…

  • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025

    We observed today at Gerstle Cove. The conditions varied throughout the day ranging from cloudy to clear skies, some offshore fog, and huge swell and crashing waves. A high surf advisory was in effect. ♦️ 3 humpbacks – all singles ♦️ 3 harbor seals – one swimming in the cove the other two being tossed…

  • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025

    We had excellent visibility today all the way to the horizon. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: πŸ”· 7 humpbacks – all singles πŸ”· 12 harbor seals – high tide, limited access to haul out site πŸ”· 1 great egret πŸ”· 24 brown pelicans flying north and 11 flying south NO WHALES SEEN…

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025

    After a very foggy day yesterday, today brought decent visibility. The surf was quite rough. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: πŸ”† 2 harbor seals swimming in the high surf surrounding their haul out site πŸ”† 1 American kestrel πŸ”† 1 red-tailed hawk πŸ”† 4 black oystercatchers πŸ”† 16 brown pelicans flying north…

  • MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025

    The ocean was quite loud and rough with 6 to 8 feet waves breaking far out from shore. This created a great deal of ocean spray and haze. It was possible to spot blows but tracking the whales was challenging as they often disappeared behind the waves. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:…

  • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025

    At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 🟣 3 humpbacks – 1 deuce and 1 single 🟣 350- 400 hundred brown pelicans resting on the bluffs At Saunders Reef, we observed: 🟣 5 humpbacks – 3 swimming south and 2 swimming north

  • PRESENTATION ON GRAY WHALES ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025

    We will be presenting β€œWhere and How are the Gray Whales: An Update On The Current Status of the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale Population” The talk begins at 4:00 pm at the Point Arena Lighthouse. Please join us!

  • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025

    Along the Salal Trail at the Sea Ranch: πŸ”† 3 humpbacks – a duo and 1 single At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: πŸ”† 7 humpbacks – one group of 2 and 5 singles, one whale breached three times πŸ”† 87 harbor seals πŸ”† 23 brown pelicans flying north AT SAUNDERS REEF: πŸ”† 2 humpbacks…

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025

    An ideal day for observing whales with unlimited visibility, no wind, and very calm ocean. AT SAUNDERS REEF, WE OBSERVED: πŸ’  5 humpback whales – 1 group of 2 and 3 singles πŸ’  3 brown pelicans flying south βœ… MEL SMITH alerted us to 9-10 humpbacks seen off the bell buoy in Point Arena heading…

  • SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2025

    Today was sunny but quite windy. The wind was blowing 23 mph from the north northwest with gusts up to 38 mph. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED: ♦️ 6 humpbacks – all singles ♦️ 3 harbor seals swimming around their haul out site at high tide ♦️ 1 red-tailed hawk ♦️ 12…

  • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025

    Observations today at Gerstle cove in Salt Point State Park. Choppy seas with at south southeast wind of 10 mph gusting up to 18 mph. Good visibility. *️⃣ 13 humpbacks – one duo and ten singles seen at Gerstle Cove; one seen on our drive home between Salt Point State Park and Stewart’s Point just…