Author: tmercer

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

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…

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…

Ocean was calm, good visibility with patches of offshore haze. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 🔷 5 humpbacks – all singles 🔷 6 harbor seals swimming around their haul out sites at high tide 🔷 6 black oystercatchers 🔷 4 black turnstones 🔷 10 brown pelicans flying south and 3 flying north

The ocean was very calm today but the sky was cloudy. NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF ❇️ 15 brown pelicans flying south and 4 flying north AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: ❇️ 6 humpbacks – all singles ❇️ 1 harbor seal swimming around the haul out site which was completely submerged at high…

At Gerstle Cove today we saw two humpbacks before the thick fogged rolled in and reduced visibility to zero! We also saw one great egret. There was better visibility in Gualala and Shari Goforth spotted 5-7 humpbacks at Gualala Point North.

After a very foggy day yesterday making observations impossible, today brought ideal observation conditions. Unlimited visibility, calm ocean, excellent distinction between ocean, sky, and blows. AT SAUNDERS REEF: 🔷 no whales seen 🔷 46 brown pelicans flying north AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: 🔷 9 humpback whales – one group of three; one group…

Windy, white caps, and haze caused by the wind and breaking whitecaps. AT SAUNDERS REEF: 💠 2 humpbacks – singles AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: 💠 8 humpbacks – two pairs; 4 singles 💠 10 brown pelicans flying north 💠 1 Northern harrier

Observations today were made at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park in northern Sonoma County. Excellent visibity to the horizon, slight wind, whitecaps offshore. The wind did intensify as the day progress increasing white caps and reducing visibility. 🔆 19 humpback whales – two pairs and 15 singles; breaching, chin slapping 🔆 30 harbor…

There were rough seas and hazy skies today. Visibility was limited. NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF OR AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA AT PAL: ♦️ 61 harbor seals

We had a light but steady rain today and monochrome (all gray) conditions making it difficult to detect whale blows against a gray sky. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: ⭐️ 2 humpback whales; first observed together and then one headed off to the south and one stayed in place taking long dives…

In loving memory of Jane Goodall, one of the most amazing and inspirational people of all time. Her tireless commitment to the diversity and well being of all species on the planet is truly remarkable. May we all live in the harmony and peaceful existence that Jane Goodall envisioned. I had the privilege of meeting…