
Recent Sightings
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025
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 humpbacks
💠 4 sea lions
💠 approximately 100-125 brown pelicans, resting on the beach with many gulls, then taking flight and returning to the beach to rest
💠 6 Canada geese
We then went to Saunders Reef where several more humpbacks were present. Here we observed:
💠 8 humpbacks
💠 14 brown pelicans
💠 1 red-tailed hawk
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025
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
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025
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
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HUMPBACK ACTIVITY PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL REINHART
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.








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MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025
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 observed:
🔶 8 humpbacks- one breached once
🔶 123 harbor seals
🔶 1 black oystercatcher
🔶 24 brown pelicans flying north