Author: tmercer

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:  * No whales seen  * 71 harbor seals  * 1 red-tailed hawk  * 2 black oystercatchers  * 2 American kestrels  Observations from Saunders Reef:  * 2 humpbacks

On a hike along the Salal Trail on the Sea Ranch this morning, Janet McElroy and I spotted a humpback whale within 500 yards of shore!! We watched it as it surfaced and exhaled as it slowly moved to the north. Quite a fantastic sighting. The day got even better as we saw our first…

NO WHALES SEEN AT EITHER POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA OR AT SAUNDERS REEF. AT PAL:  * 6 – 8  harbor seals swimming near their haul out site  * 4 American kestrels  * 1 red-tailed hawk  * 3 brown pelicans flying north

NO WHALES SEEN AT EITHER POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA OR AT SAUNDERS REEF. AT PAL:  * 10 – 12  harbor seals swimming near their haul out site  * 3 American kestrels  * 1 great blue heron  * 1 black oystercatchers   SPECIAL NOTE:  The Gray Whale Census & Behavior Project at  Point Vicente Interpretive Center…

NO WHALES SEEN AT EITHER POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA OR AT SAUNDERS REEF. AT PAL:  * 49 harbor seals  * 4 American kestrels  * 1 great blue heron  * 2 black oystercatchers   * 1 red-tailed hawk  

No whales seen at Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula or at Saunders Reef.    AT PAL:  * 28 harbor seals  * 3 black oystercatchers  * 2 red-tailed hawks  * 1 Great blue heron  * 6 black turnstones  * 1 Northern harrier  * 3 American kestrels

A huge thank you to our friends and neighbors, Fred and Janet McElroy, who took this amazing video of two humpback whales off Hearn Gulch. The blows of these whales can be clearly seen as well as excellent looks at their backs. Please click on the link below to watch these amazing whales! IMG_1720 AT…

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * No whales seen * 28 harbor seals * 1 red-tailed hawk * 1 Great blue heron * 2 American kestrels  

Ideal conditions today; ocean was calm, unlimited visibility to the horizon, little to no wind AT PAL:  * 3 humpbacks moving south  * 48 harbor seals  * 3 sea lions foraging within a strong current line  * 3 American kestrels  * 1 black oystercatcher  * 3 American kestrels  * 1 white-tailed kite  * 1 Great…

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 3 humpback whales, traveling slowing to the south and taking long dives * 88 harbor seals * 1 Great blue heron * 1 red-tailed hawk * 4 American kestrels * 1 black oystercatcher   NO whales seen at Saunders Reef   We wish you all a very…

After several days of heavy rainfall (between 16-21 inches reported in our area), wind, and  even some fog, we were finally able to return to the cliffs today to search for whales and other marine mammal activity.  The ocean was calm and we had visibility to the horizon. At PAL:  * 2 whales, undetermined species,…

As the day went on, conditions became very windy and cloudy.  The ocean was rough and the whitecaps were huge. Much rain expected over the next several days. Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:  * 3 humpbacks * 1 harbor seal (haul out site mostly under water)  * 1 white-tailed kite  * 1 black…