Category: Daily Observations

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we encountered several squalls passing though with rain and increased wind, and the ocean was covered with whitecaps. Blows were batted down quickly. We observed: * 4 northbound gray whales – all singles GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE (since November 1, 2024) = 🔆 22 northbound 🔆 390 southbound…

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, it was hazy and there were big waves, approximately 10-12 feet, and swells. Blows were batted down quickly. We observed: * 3 northbound gray whales – one single and one set of two * 1 gray whale forager TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE (since November 1, 2024) =…

Observations today were made from Gerstle Cove which is part of Salt Point State Park in northern Sonoma County. We had good visibility as the fog remained quite a distance offshore throughout our observation time. The waves and swells were huge, about 14-15 feet, and created tremendous amounts of spray upon crashing into the rocks.…

The ocean was calm today and visibility was fair to good. Some offshore haziness. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: * 1 gray whale forging very close to the rocks NO MIGRATORS SEEN GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE: (since November 1, 2024) 🔆 390 southbound 🔆 4 northbound 🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹 * 51 harbor seals…

Better ocean and atmospheric conditions today compared to yesterday. Waves at 8-12 feet, some spray and haziness. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed: * 3 southbound gray whales – first two traveling together and the third one was solo TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE (since November 1, 2024) 🔆 390 southbound 🔆…

Today there were 16-18 foot waves crashing and creating huge amounts of spray. This haziness led to poor visibility throughout our observation time. Wind at 14 mph. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * NO WHALES SEEN TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE (since November 1, 2024) 🔆 387 southbound 🔆 4 northbound 🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷 *…

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: NO WHALES SEEN TODAY TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 🔆 387 southbound 🔆 4 northbound * 81 harbor seals * 1 great blue heron * 1 red-tailed hawk * 3 killdeer * 3 American kestrels

Today was sunny and clear but a strong wind produced numerous whitecaps and much spray on the ocean. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed: * 1 southbound gray whale TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 🔆 387 southbound 🔆 4 northbound * 60 harbor seals * 2 great blue herons * 3…

After morning rain, conditions improved considerably, and we were able to observe at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula where we saw: * 2 southbound gray whales TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 386 southbound 1 northbound * 37 harbor seals * 2 great blue herons * 1 red-tailed hawk * 3 American kestrels

Good visibility, calmer ocean, offshore haziness. Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 1 southbound gray whale traveling close to shore, less than one-quarter mile from shore * 3 northbound gray whales – 2 traveling together, one traveling solo GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE: 384 southbound 4 northbound * 43 harbor seals * 2…

Good visibility, offshore haziness, 10-12 foot waves. Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 1 southbound gray whale TOTAL WHALES SEEN TO DATE: 383 southbound 1 northbound * 27 harbor seals * 1 red-tailed hawk * 1 American kestrel * 1 great blue heron

The rain we had over night stopped and gave way to mostly cloudy skies. There were small choppy waves on the ocean. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: * no whales seen TOTAL WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 382 southbound 1 northbound * 1 great blue heron * 1 red-tailed hawk * 1 Ferruginous hawk…