Category: Daily Observations

Sea conditions were calm and visibility was excellent to the horizon. Slightly hazy at times. Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 5 southbound gray whales; two traveling together, 3 traveling solo; 1 fluked,  long dives by all  * 54 harbor seals * 1  California sea lion hauled out with the harbor seals *…

Today we had no visibility due to a thick and persistent fog. At one point at the Point Arena Lighthouse, the fog cleared briefly and we did spot one gray whale traveling south! We also observed: * 6 harbor seals swimming around their haul out site * 1 great blue heron * 1 red-tailed hawk…

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:  * 5 southbound gray whales  *21 harbor seals  * 2 red-tailed hawks  * 3 American kestrels  * 1 great blue heron     GRAY WHALES TO DATE:   21 southbound

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:  * 4 southbound gray whales, 2 traveling together, 2 traveling solo  * 6 harbor seals swimming around the rocks at their haul out site which was covered with high surf   * 1 kingfisher   * 1 Ferruginous hawk   * 1 red-tailed hawk   * 2 American…

Today’s weather presented a true mixed bag with  ever changing conditions. We had some sun, a few squalls that produced wind, rain, and even a bit of hail. The ocean was choppy but overall visibility was good. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed: * 1 southbound gray whale * 3 harbor seals (their…

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 2 southbound gray whales * 44 harbor seals * 2 Great blue herons * 1 American kestrel * 1 black turnstone * 1 red-tailed hawk Observations from Saunders Reef by Shari Goforth-Eby: Jan 2, 17:04: Gray whale South off Saunders reef, approx 5 miles. 3 blows, peduncle…

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL‼️ WELCOME 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣‼️ Poor visibility all day due to a persistent drizzle and offshore fog. No whales seen at Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula or at Saunders Reef.    AT PAL:   * 37 harbor seals   * 2 Great blue herons   * 1 American kestrel      Gray whales to…

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 4 soutbound gray whales – 2 traveling together, one lifted their flukes; 2 traveling individually   * 69 harbor seals * 1 Ferruginous hawk * 1 red-tailed hawk * 1 Great blue heron * 2 black oystercatchers * 1 American kestrel * Northern harrier

Today was dry and sunny but windy.  Whitecaps covered the ocean but visibility was excellent. NO WHALES SEEN AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA OR AT SAUNDERS REEF        AT PAL:  * 73 harbor seals  * 1 great blue heron  * 1 American kestrel  * 2 black oystercatchers  * 1 Northern harrier

With rain and fog finally gone for most of the day, we had good visibility at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula where we did see one southbound gray whale!! We also counted 45 harbor seals.   

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:  No whales seen at either site.      AT PAL: * 59 harbor seals * 1 Northern Harrier * 1 red-tailed hawk * 2 American kestrels

On this winter solstice day, the ocean was roaring with 10 – 12 foot waves and lots of spray as the waves crashed onto the rocky shore.  At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:  * 1 whale, species undetermined  * no harbor seals as the surf completely covered their haul out sites  * 1…