Author: tmercer

Today was quite windy; it was blowing 14 mph and gusting to 21 mph from the north northwest. This created whitecaps and spray. Visibility, however, was quite good. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: 🔆 1 unidentified large whale; unable to see any distinguishable markings or features due to the rough ocean conditions; species undetermined…

After a wicked storm on Tuesday night which knocked out power to several communities along the coast, today was surprisingly sunny and pleasant. The ocean was quite rough with huge swells, high surf, and whitecaps but visibility was good. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: 💠 NO WHALES SEEN 💠 💠 7 harbor seals –…

After being sidelined for three full days due to rain and fog, we had good ocean and weather conditions today for most of the day. The ocean was a bit choppy but visibility was quite good. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED: ✴️ 3 humpbacks – singles about 2-3 miles offshore; taking long…

Lighthouse Lecture Series – Doug Forsell Event 12/20/2025 The Lighthouse Lecture Series welcomes Doug Forsell, presenting “Birds and Mammals of the Eastern Aleutian Islands and Why Tufted Puffins are the coolest Seabird” on Saturday, December 20, at 4 p.m. Doug Forsell spent the summers of 1980 and 1981 working as part of a team of…

Today we had a cloudy day with offshore fog that threatened to roll in closer to shore but did stay a good distance out. The sea was choppy and rough. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED: 🟣 2 southbound gray whales swimming together approximately 1/2 mile off shore – backs visible, flukes also…

Observations today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula where it was clear, sunny, a bit windy, and excellent visibility. 🔆🔻 NO WHALES SEEN 🔆🔻 🔆 105 harbor seals 🔆 2 American kestrels 🔆 1 great blue heron 🔆 1 Northern harrier 🔷🔷 SOUTHBOUND GRAY WHALES TO DATE = 2

Although the skies were cloudy and gray, the ocean was flat calm and visibility was quite good. AT POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: ❇️♦️ NO WHALES SEEN ❇️♦️ ❇️ 88 harbor seals hauled out at low tide ❇️ 1 bobcat ❇️ 2 kestrels ❇️ 2 red-tailed hawks ❇️ 8-10 killdeer ❇️ 4 brown pelicans flying south

The ocean was flat calm today, no wind, a bit cloudy but visibility was excellent. Observations today from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: ❇️ 🔺NO WHALES SEEN ❇️ 🔺 ✳️ 56 harbor seals ✳️ 2 American kestrels ✳️ 1 red-tailed hawk ✳️ 12 brown pelicans flying south

Observations today from Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park. Despite clear and sunny conditions on our drive south to Gerstle Cove, when we arrived we were greeted by widespread fog and had very limited visibility for the entire morning. The fog finally did lift around noon time leaving us with good visibility. 🔷♦️ NO…

Foggy conditions persisted in many locations along the coast but fortunately, it was clear at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula for several hours. Visibility was excellent. AT PAL, WE OBSERVED: 🔶 2 humpback whales – appeared to be searching for food for approximately one hour 🔷 35 harbor seals 🔶 48 brown pelicans circulating g…

We had a clear day with excellent visibility. It was quite windy and there were many whitecaps. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 💠 NO WHALES SEEN 💠 💠 5 harbor seals hauled out and 6 more swimming around the rocks at high tide 💠 42 brown pelicans flying north and 6 flying…

Today’s challenge was once again FOG. We had good visibility to begin the day but a heavy fog did roll in later in the day reducing our visibility to zero. Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula : ♦️ NO WHALES SEEN ♦️ ♦️ 3 harbor seals hauled out resting on the rocks and 4…