Author: tmercer

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…

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we had good visibility despite the windy conditions.  Blows could be seen but they were knocked down rather quickly by the wind. 💠 2 humpback whales – singles less than one mile offshore 💠 70 harbor seals – out going tide 💠 Approximately 54 brown pelicans flying north and…

Another glorious day with excellent visibility at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula.  The wind did increase in speed as the day progressed. 🌊 16 humpback whales – three groups of two and ten singles; many full breaches, a tail breach, backs and flukes visible; these  whales were spread out and feeding from north to south…

While doing her harbor seal survey on the Point Arena-Stornetta lands, Sara Bogard alerted us to the presence of several  bottlenose dolphins swimming southward at a quick pace. We went to Saunders Reef and Shari Goforth was able to photograph these dolphins as they swam past us there. We were delighted to learn that the…

We observed today from the beautiful Mendocino Headlands. Visibility was good but  limited to three miles out due to offshore fog and haze. ✳️ NO WHALES SEEN ✳️ 8-9 sea lions resting on the bell buoys

A beautiful day at the Point arena Lighthouse peninsula. 💠 NO WHALES SEEN 💠 14 harbor seals – in coming tide 💠 Dozens of feeding brown pelicans  

Our first 3 1/2 hours at Gerstle Cove were spent in very dense fog. Small pockets of visibility would appear but even then visibility was limited by the gray sky and gray ocean. 🔷 4 humpback whales – one group of two and two singles; one single was slowly but steadily moving south and the…

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, visibility was quite good and the wind was moderate. 🟡 1 humpback whale 🟡 4 harbor seals – high tide  

Observations today from the Noyo Headlands in Fort Bragg. ✅ Two humpback whales

On Sunday, September 6th, a photo was  taken of a gray whale calf  just bout 15 feet from shore at the Gualala Beach in the Regional Park.  No other gray whale was seen near this calf. In an attempt to re-sight this calf, we observed today from the Regional Park and along  the Salal Trail…

Ideal conditions at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park provided excellent visibility clear to the horizon. The ocean was calm, a very light wind, and brilliant sunshine. 🔷🔶 13 humpback whales – several within one half mile of shore, others about 3 miles out; backs, dorsal fins, flukes visible; one group of three, three…

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, it was cloudy and there was offshore fog starting at approximately 3 miles out. 🌊 5 humpback whales – one pair and three singles 🌊 4 harbor seals – high tide 🌊 2 osprey – one hunting over the ocean and one sitting upon a utility pole eating a…