Recent Sightings

There were rough seas and hazy skies today. Visibility was limited.

NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF OR AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA

AT PAL:

♦️ 61 harbor seals

We had a light but steady rain today and monochrome (all gray) conditions making it difficult to detect whale blows against a gray sky.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:

⭐️ 2 humpback whales; first observed together and then one headed off to the south and one stayed in place taking long dives

⭐️ 82 harbor seals

⭐️ 3 brown pelicans

AT SAUNDERS REEF, we observed:

⭐️ 2 humpback whales; one flipper slapping and splashing at the surface

⭐️ 5 brown pelicans

Sara Bogard reported seeing 6 humpback whales off Black Point at the south end of the Sea Ranch at 12 noon.

In loving memory of Jane Goodall, one of the most amazing and inspirational people of all time. Her tireless commitment to the diversity and well being of all species on the planet is truly remarkable. May we all live in the harmony and peaceful existence that Jane Goodall envisioned.

I had the privilege of meeting Jane in 2008 at an educational conference held in New York City that I attended with my friend and colleague, Erin Oshan.

Today was quite windy and this created significant white caps on the ocean along with haze. Blows were difficult to detect.

AT SAUNDERS REEF:

♦️ 14 brown pelicans flying north and 8 flying south

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

♦️ 13 black oystercatchers

♦️ 5 harbor seals swimming at high tide

♦️ 2 American kestrels

♦️ 22 brown pelicans flying north

We encountered thick fog at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. We observed:

🌀 5 harbor seals swimming around their haul out at high tide

🌀 18 black oystercatchers

🌀 13 black turnstones

🌀 1 sharp-shinned hawk

Unfortunately, the fog followed us to Saunders Reef and no whales were seen at either site.