Category: Daily Observations

Slightly hazy on the horizon today. A bit more windy than previous days and some whitecaps have developed. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA WE OBSERVED: ♦️ 12 humpbacks – many breaching, chin slamming, flukes and back visible ♦️ 12 harbor seals – high tide ♦️ 2 black oystercatchers ♦️ 35 brown pelicans AT SAUNDERS…

On this absolutely gorgeous summer day, we observed at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park.  Calm ocean, gentle breeze, excellent visibility. WE OBSERVED: ✳️ 15 humpback whales – many breaching ✳️ 2 minke whales swiftly swimming north ✳️ 8 harbor seals – at high tide ✳️ 1 Osprey with a fish ✳️ 1 northern…

Another beautiful day here on the Mendonoma coast.  Ocean is still as calm as a lake and the morning clouds gave way to bright sunshine.  No clouds and no wind. Excellent visibility. Many fishing boats in the area. AT THE POINT ARENA  LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED: 🔆 8 humpbacks- one breached once creating a huge…

The ocean was as calm as a lake today and visibility was excellent. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 🔺 8 humpbacks 🔺27 harbor seals – at high tide 🔺 300-350 brown pelicans flying north; others resting in the ocean 🔺 4 flocks of approximately. 50-60 cormorants flying north 🔺 1 osprey 🔺…

After three consecutive days of very foggy conditions,  today finally provided some decent conditions and visibility for observing whales. We received word from Shari Goforth that several humpbacks could be seen offshore from the  beach at Gualala Point Regional Park, south of Gualala Point Island. Thank you, Shari! We went there and observed: 💠 7…

With a cloudy sky, blows were challenging to see today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula.  We observed: 🔷 11- 12 humpbacks scattered throughout our observation area 🔶 61 harbor seals 🔷 1 great blue heron 🔶 23 brown pelicans NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF 🔷 18 brown pelicans

Another beautiful day with excellent visibility. Calm seas with a light breeze. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED: 🔆 4 humpbacks – two singles and one group of two 🔆 111 harbor seals 🔆 4 black oystercatchers 🔆 1 great blue heron AT SAUNDERS REEF: 🔆 2 humpbacks

A huge thank you to Michel Reinhart for allowing us to share his amazing photos of these humpback whales he photograph from his home on the south end of the Sea Ranch on Monday evening, August 18th. Look closely and you will see that birds have joined the humpbacks in snatching a meal.  

Excellent visibility today with very  calm ocean and little to no wind. AT SAUNDERS REEF, we observed: 🔶 10 humpback whales- one whale breached once, another whale breached five times,  one whale was tail lobbing 🔶 6 sea lions swimming northwest towards the reef 🔶 53 brown pelicans AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, we…

On this windy day, we observed at Saunders Reef and the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. ✳️ no whales seen at Saunders Reef ✳️ 7 humpback whales ✳️ 65 harbor seals ✳️ 1 great blue heron ✳️ 1 black oystercatcher ✳️ 18 brown pelicans

WIND AT 19 mph from the north northwest with 33 mph gusts created poor visibility. Whitecaps covered the ocean. 🔷 NO WHALES SEEN AT COOK’S BEACH OR AT SAUNDERS REEF 🔷 At Cook’s Beach, we observed: 🔷 1 sea lion 🔷 37 brown pelicans, many feeding

CONDITIONS TODAY WERE EXCELLENT! Blue skies, very little wind, calm ocean! 💠💠 Humpback activity was observed all along our coast today from the south end of the Sea Ranch to Hearn Gulch and Saunders Reef. 💠💠 OBSERVATIONS FROM COOK’S BEACH WHICH IS NORTH OF DOWNTOWN GUALALA AND SOUTH OF ANCHOR BAY (ACROSS FROM ST. ORRS):…