Recent Sightings

On Sunday, September 6th, a photo was  taken of a gray whale calf  just bout 15 feet from shore at the Gualala Beach in the Regional Park.  No other gray whale was seen near this calf.

In an attempt to re-sight this calf, we observed today from the Regional Park and along  the Salal Trail on the north  end of the Sea Ranch. Many observers were notified of this sighting all along the coast.  Unfortunately, this gray whale calf has not been seen again.

🔆 11 humpback whales – one group of three, one group of two and six singles

🔆 Dozens of brown pelicans, gulls, and shearwaters diving into the ocean to feed

Ideal conditions at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park provided excellent visibility clear to the horizon. The ocean was calm, a very light wind, and brilliant sunshine.

🔷🔶 13 humpback whales – several within one half mile of shore, others about 3 miles out; backs, dorsal fins, flukes visible; one group of three, three groups of twos, and four singles 

🔷🔶 11 harbor seals

🔷🔶 1 barking sea lion

🔷🔶 2 osprey

🔷🔶 1 great blue heron flying to the north

🔷🔶 1 American kestrel

🔷🔶 Several large groups of cormorants flying swiftly to the  north

🔷🔶 Several dozen brown pelicans diving into the ocean

🔷🔶 1 garter snake

We also had the good fortune to meet two marine biologists  from the Greater  Farallones Association studying and mapping kelp bed growth  with the use of drones.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, it was cloudy and there was offshore fog starting at approximately 3 miles out.

🌊 5 humpback whales – one pair and three singles

🌊 4 harbor seals – high tide

🌊 2 osprey – one hunting over the ocean and one sitting upon a utility pole eating a fish

🌊 8 brown  pelicans

The day began with decent visibility at Gerstle Cove. Unfortunately, the fog that was threatening offshore did roll in and eventually reduced our visibility to zero. However, later in the day, the wind picked up and cleared the fog away.

♦️ 6 humpback whales: one set of two and four singles

♦️16 harbor seals

♦️ 4 great egrets flying north together; they attempted to land on the kelp in front of of us but decided not stay and continued their northbound journey

♦️ 3 osprey

♦️ 74 brown pelicans flying south and 262 flying north; several floating

A beautiful day at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula provided us with excellent visibility.  The wind was moderate and a few whitecaps began to develop on the ocean.

💠 5 humpbacks whales; one group of two and three singles

💠 76 harbor seals

💠 39 brown pelicans