Category: Daily Observations

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025

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

  • MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025

    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:…

  • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025

    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

  • PRESENTATION ON GRAY WHALES ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025

    We will be presenting β€œWhere 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!

  • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025

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

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025

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

  • SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2025

    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…

  • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025

    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…

  • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025

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

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025

    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…

  • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025

    At Gerstle Cove today we saw two humpbacks before the thick fogged rolled in and reduced visibility to zero! We also saw one great egret. There was better visibility in Gualala and Shari Goforth spotted 5-7 humpbacks at Gualala Point North.

  • MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025

    After a very foggy day yesterday making observations impossible, today brought ideal observation conditions. Unlimited visibility, calm ocean, excellent distinction between ocean, sky, and blows. AT SAUNDERS REEF: πŸ”· no whales seen πŸ”· 46 brown pelicans flying north AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA: πŸ”· 9 humpback whales – one group of three; one group…