Category: Daily Observations

We observed today at Gerstle Cove. The conditions varied throughout the day ranging from cloudy to clear skies, some offshore fog, and huge swell and crashing waves. A high surf advisory was in effect. ♦️ 3 humpbacks – all singles ♦️ 3 harbor seals – one swimming in the cove the other two being tossed…

We had excellent visibility today all the way to the horizon. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 🔷 7 humpbacks – all singles 🔷 12 harbor seals – high tide, limited access to haul out site 🔷 1 great egret 🔷 24 brown pelicans flying north and 11 flying south NO WHALES SEEN…

After a very foggy day yesterday, today brought decent visibility. The surf was quite rough. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 🔆 2 harbor seals swimming in the high surf surrounding their haul out site 🔆 1 American kestrel 🔆 1 red-tailed hawk 🔆 4 black oystercatchers 🔆 16 brown pelicans flying north…

The ocean was quite loud and rough with 6 to 8 feet waves breaking far out from shore. This created a great deal of ocean spray and haze. It was possible to spot blows but tracking the whales was challenging as they often disappeared behind the waves. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:…

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 🟣 3 humpbacks – 1 deuce and 1 single 🟣 350- 400 hundred brown pelicans resting on the bluffs At Saunders Reef, we observed: 🟣 5 humpbacks – 3 swimming south and 2 swimming north

We will be presenting “Where and How are the Gray Whales: An Update On The Current Status of the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale Population” The talk begins at 4:00 pm at the Point Arena Lighthouse. Please join us!

Along the Salal Trail at the Sea Ranch: 🔆 3 humpbacks – a duo and 1 single At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: 🔆 7 humpbacks – one group of 2 and 5 singles, one whale breached three times 🔆 87 harbor seals 🔆 23 brown pelicans flying north AT SAUNDERS REEF: 🔆 2 humpbacks…

An ideal day for observing whales with unlimited visibility, no wind, and very calm ocean. AT SAUNDERS REEF, WE OBSERVED: 💠 5 humpback whales – 1 group of 2 and 3 singles 💠 3 brown pelicans flying south ✅ MEL SMITH alerted us to 9-10 humpbacks seen off the bell buoy in Point Arena heading…

Today was sunny but quite windy. The wind was blowing 23 mph from the north northwest with gusts up to 38 mph. AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED: ♦️ 6 humpbacks – all singles ♦️ 3 harbor seals swimming around their haul out site at high tide ♦️ 1 red-tailed hawk ♦️ 12…

Observations today at Gerstle cove in Salt Point State Park. Choppy seas with at south southeast wind of 10 mph gusting up to 18 mph. Good visibility. *️⃣ 13 humpbacks – one duo and ten singles seen at Gerstle Cove; one seen on our drive home between Salt Point State Park and Stewart’s Point just…

Ocean was calm, good visibility with patches of offshore haze. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: 🔷 5 humpbacks – all singles 🔷 6 harbor seals swimming around their haul out sites at high tide 🔷 6 black oystercatchers 🔷 4 black turnstones 🔷 10 brown pelicans flying south and 3 flying north

The ocean was very calm today but the sky was cloudy. NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF ❇️ 15 brown pelicans flying south and 4 flying north AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: ❇️ 6 humpbacks – all singles ❇️ 1 harbor seal swimming around the haul out site which was completely submerged at high…