Recent Sightings

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:

 AT PAL:

 * 5 humpback whales, one swimming steadily southbound, the others meandering about

 * 78 harbor seals

AT SAUNDERS REEF:

 none seen

 

Observations from Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:

 No whales seen at either site, FOG at both sites, reduced visibility

AT PAL:

 * 52 harbor seals

 * 2 American kestrels

 * 3 black oyster catchers

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:

At PAL:

* 5 humpbacks

 * 19 harbor seals

 * 1 American kestrel

 At Saunders Reef:

 * 2 humpbacks

 * 1 red-tailed hawk

This is a letter I received today from Cecile Majerus, the Chief Executive Officer of the Marine  Mammal center in Sausalito, California.  I am thrilled to be able to share this great news with you.

Aria, the orphaned calf of humpback whale Fran, was recently spotted in Monterey, California.

You may remember her mother Fran. Seen year after year, she was one of the most well-known whales in California. In 2022 there was great excitement when she brought a calf to the feeding grounds for the first time. But then tragedy struck: Fran was hit and killed by a ship.

No one knew if Aria, her calf, would survive being orphaned at an age when she should still have been with her mother.

So I hope you are as thrilled as we are to hear the wonderful news that Aria was recently spotted in the wild.

How do we know the whale is Aria? Happywhale, a worldwide whale sighting database that is used by organizations, institutes and researchers, identified this fluke photo.

While we marvel at Aria’s resilience, the loss of her mother, Fran, is a reminder that there is much work to be done.

Know that these tragedies can be avoided if ships slow down. Explore our expert’s work to protect these gentle giants and how you can be a whale champion.

Observations from Gerstle Cove at Salt Point State Park:

 * 3 humpbacks

 * 21 harbor seals

 * 1 sea lion

 * 1 sharp-shinned hawk

 * 2 black oyster catchers

 * 1 osprey catching a fish

 * 1 Great Blue Heron

 

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* 5 humpbacks

 * 3 harbor seals

Report from Mel Smith and Linda Bostwick:

seen from their home in Point Arena:

 two blue whales, several humpbacks, and Risso’s dolphins