West Seattle sea life: Orcas on video; seal on shore

Just out of the WSB inbox, one more look at the orcas – transients, according to The Whale Trail‘s Donna Sandstrom – that visited our area: Rick Rasmussen, who provided the photos you can see in this Sunday report, just sent the link to that video he also recorded when his sailing trip turned into an unexpected round of whale-watching.

Also visiting West Seattle on Sunday, a young seal promptly dubbed Flipper:

Alki photographer and Seal Sitters volunteer David Hutchinson shares the photo, and this update:

Even though the calendar says February, Seal Sitters is busy responding to young harbor seals on West Seattle beaches. Yesterday a weaned pup, nicknamed Flipper, spent 5 hours ashore on the steps along the promenade at Alki Beach. A large number of people were out taking advantage of our sunny weather, and volunteers had an opportunity to answer their many questions.

It is important, if you come across seals or other marine mammals on the beaches of West Seattle, to call our hotline at 206-905-SEAL (7325). Please ask others to keep a respectful distance and all dogs should be on a leash. The goal, as always, is to give these young animals an opportunity to rest safely while ashore. A pup has recently been hauling out on the beaches at Lincoln Park, so if you spot him, please give our hotline a call.

For more details about Flipper and the other recent visitors to West Seattle beaches, please visit our Blubberblog.

Seal Sitters will soon be announcing the first training session of 2012 in preparation for the upcoming pupping season. For more information please visit Volunteer Now on our website.

10 Replies to "West Seattle sea life: Orcas on video; seal on shore"

  • cj February 6, 2012 (10:09 pm)

    The loose dog population in Lincoln Park has grown a lot. I saw hounds running loose in hunting style searching all though the wood this week. I hope the sitters are able to protect the babies cause at this rate disaster is in the works.

  • Alki Guy February 7, 2012 (12:50 am)

    Oh please CJ. Great post. Lots of seals running through the woods in imminent danger!!!

  • a February 7, 2012 (6:20 am)

    It’s the law- leash your damn dogs!

  • JoB February 7, 2012 (7:30 am)

    Alkiguy..
    lots of dogs running loose on the beach side of Lincoln park too :(
    i rarely walk my dogs there without encountering unleashed dogs with inattentive owners.

  • JoB February 7, 2012 (7:31 am)

    Thank you Rick for sharing your video with us…
    i am still wistfully awaiting my first orca encounter.

  • dog&parklover February 7, 2012 (9:15 am)

    Lived here for 8 years up the hill from LP walking my dog there 4 to 5 times a week and have never seen or heard of any problems between a dog and a seal.

    Never.

    Maybe we should go after voter fraud too while were at it….

  • miws February 7, 2012 (9:24 am)

    Same here, JoB! Was down there the last two Fridays, but no Orca. :-(

    .

    Mike

  • Here February 7, 2012 (11:34 am)

    I wish I could get down there every time I see an Orca post, but between my job and Metro, it never happens.

  • uinc February 7, 2012 (9:01 pm)

    Does anyone know what happened to the two white geese? Last time I saw them was over two weeks ago, and one of them seemed to have missing feathers on his head.
    I hope they are safe and OK somewhere.

  • miws February 7, 2012 (10:49 pm)

    unic, they are still down there.

    .

    Saw them just this past Friday, at the south end of the Public Beach.

    ,

    Mike

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