This image shows the fins of several gray whales above the surface of the water

Recent Sightings


  • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025

    We observed today at beautiful Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park in northern Sonoma County. There was offshore fog but overall, visibility was good.

    🟪 4 humpbacks – two together and two singles

    🟧 4 sea lions swimming together in a northwest direction

    🟪 2 Caspian terns flying north quite elegantly

    🟧 4 Ospreys

    🟪 over 100 brown pelicans flying north and 12 flying south

    🟧 1 northern Pygmy owl


  • THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025

    At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:

    🔶 1 humpback

    🔷 120 harbor seals

    🔶 1 sea lion

    🔷 3 great blue herons

    🔶 1 red-tailed hawk

    🔷 2 black oystercatchers

    🔶 33 brown pelicans

    NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF


  • WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

    💠 128 harbor seals

    💠 1 red-tailed hawk

    💠 87 brown pelicans

    Observations at Saunders Reef:

    💠 1 humpback

    💠 25 brown pelicans


  • TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025

    On this cloudy, gray day without wind, the ocean was as calm as a lake and visibility was good.

    AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED:

    🔆 2 humpback whales, backs and flukes visible as they surfaced

    🔆 140 harbor seals

    🔆 1 great blue heron

    🔆 85 brown pelicans flying north, 17 flying south

    AT SAUNDERS REEF:

    🔆 2 humpback whales, backs and flukes visible as they surfaced

    🔆 6 sea lions swimming together

    🔆 17 brown pelicans flying north


  • FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025

    OBSERVATIONS TODAY FROM GERSTLE  COVE IN SALT POINT STATE PARK:
    The ocean was calm but the sky was cloudy and gray. Whale blows were difficult to see against the gray sky.

    ❇️ 4 humpback whales – slowly traveling north – one tail slapped just a few times and then did a full breach!

    ❇️ 9 harbor seals

    ❇️ 1 female elephant seal hauled out in a small cove she had all to herself

    ❇️ 1 osprey

    ❇️ 58 brown pelicans flying north