Author: tmercer

  • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

    At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, Shari Goforth-Eby spotted 4 humpback whales. At Saunders Reef, we observed 5 humpbacks whales. A considerable wind picked up late in the afternoon. At both locations,  there was a fog layer offshore.  

  • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

    Fog at Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula sent us south to Gerstle Cove at Salt Point State Park in Sonoma County.  Unfortunately, fog followed us there and we had no visibility. We did see 11 harbor seals. Back at Saunders Reef, the fog had retreated and we did have decent visibility but no whales were seen.…

  • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

    Observations at Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:  * 4 humpbacks  * 22 harbor seals  * 1 American kestrel Dense fog rolled in reducing visibility to zero. There was also no visibility at Saunders Reef due to fog.  

  • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: No whales seen –  FOG rolled in shortly after our arrival reducing visibility to zero. We did receive a report of humpbacks seen off the point earlier in the day before the fog arrived. At Saunders Reef:  * 4 humpbacks  * 1 red-tailed hawks  

  • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 6 humpbacks  * 77 harbor seals   *  1 great blue heron Observations from Saunders Reef:  * 4 humpbacks Report from Diane Hichwa:  * 7 humpbacks observed  off Pebble Beach/ Navigators Reach at the Sea Ranch  

  • SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024

    Today we observed at five different locations along the Mendonoma Coast (northern Sonoma County and southern Mendocino County) and saw a total of 17 humpback whales.  Truly, an amazing day! Excellent visibility and calm seas. Several whales were 300-500 yards off shore; others 1-3 miles offshore. Blows, backs, heads, flippers, dorsal fins,  and flukes were…

  • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:  AT PAL:  * 5 humpback whales, one swimming steadily southbound, the others meandering about  * 78 harbor seals AT SAUNDERS REEF:  none seen  

  • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024

    Observations from Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:  No whales seen at either site, FOG at both sites, reduced visibility AT PAL:  * 52 harbor seals  * 2 American kestrels  * 3 black oyster catchers

  • TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2024

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef: At PAL: * 5 humpbacks  * 19 harbor seals  * 1 American kestrel  At Saunders Reef:  * 2 humpbacks  * 1 red-tailed hawk This is a letter I received today from Cecile Majerus, the Chief Executive Officer of the Marine  Mammal center in Sausalito,…

  • MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024

    Observations from Gerstle Cove at Salt Point State Park:  * 3 humpbacks  * 21 harbor seals  * 1 sea lion  * 1 sharp-shinned hawk  * 2 black oyster catchers  * 1 osprey catching a fish  * 1 Great Blue Heron  

  • SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2024

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 5 humpbacks  * 3 harbor seals Report from Mel Smith and Linda Bostwick: seen from their home in Point Arena:  two blue whales, several humpbacks, and Risso’s dolphins

  • SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2024

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and From Saunders Reef At PAL:  * 5 humpbacks  * 5 harbor seals  At Saunders Reef:  * 4 humpbacks