PHOTOS: West Seattle whale-watching – orcas back, day 3

(Added 8:55 am: Photo by Carolyn Newman)
Lots of orca-watching going on this morning, from Beach Drive to Elliott Bay, where the newest reports are from – likely the same two transient male orcas who have been visiting the area for the past several days. Photos shared via Twitter:

8:38 AM: Found out they started the day off West Seattle pretty early – James was watching them off Fauntleroy in the 6 am hour! Meantime, another photo tweeted from the Water Taxi vicinity (Seacrest Boathouse/Pier, 1660 Harbor SW, in case you are new in the area):

9:36 AM: Thanks again to everyone who has tweeted, e-mailed, texted/called (206-293-6302 any time), Facebooked – speaking of which, Melinda posted video of the orcas off Beach Drive; not embeddable, unfortunately, but here’s a direct link to see it on FB.

13 Replies to "PHOTOS: West Seattle whale-watching - orcas back, day 3"

  • A April 23, 2014 (8:20 am)

    This is what I’ll miss most about WS.

  • Krm66 April 23, 2014 (9:01 am)

    Great pictures! I had a late night at the Orca Freedom Concert at EMP last night but this is great to see first thing in the morning.

    • WSB April 23, 2014 (9:03 am)

      How timely, then! Nice of these orcas to come hang out for Earth Day week, too.

  • Hildeborg April 23, 2014 (9:34 am)

    We watched them head towards downtown. They were so amazing! Glad we invested in this telescope!

  • Jamie April 23, 2014 (9:50 am)

    It’s INCREDIBLY SELFISH to call ourselves residents of “West Seattle” when the true West Seattle is the home of these breathtaking forms of life… the Puget Sound! If you’re unfamiliar with this pursuit, I urge you to visit your local (FREE) library, and request to see a map of the region. You’ll find (probably to your surprise) that what’s truly West of Seattle isn’t what we know as West Seattle, but rather the mass of water we all call the Puget Sound.

    I’ve said it my whole life, but we would be better off calling our true home SOUTHWEST Seattle, keeping the integrity of the name West Seattle for the region it actually covers: the Puget Sound, permanent home of orcas.

    If you share a similar view, find our group on Google and Facebook: West Seattle Isn’t West Seattle

  • heather April 23, 2014 (10:05 am)

    I LOVE these posts! Thank you so much for sharing such great photos!!!!

  • Huh? April 23, 2014 (10:43 am)

    Jamie, your passion is admirable. But a group dedicated to getting the name West Seattle changed to Southwest Seattle because of the sea life beyond our shores? Did I read that correctly? Um… Seems like much to do about nothing, IMHO.

    • WSB April 23, 2014 (10:47 am)

      If Jamie is serious, s/he might need some SEO work. I couldn’t find evidence of any such group on Facebook, Google+, or by a general web search. Jamie’s welcome to add a link – you can use links in WSB comments; they automatically hotlink if you precede them with http:// (or https if applicable) … TR

  • GWS April 23, 2014 (12:44 pm)

    If these are transients, I wonder if there is a corresponding drop in the number of sea lions hanging out on the buoys?

  • Mitchell Meyer April 23, 2014 (1:23 pm)

    GWS i wondered the exact same thing, can anyone shed light on this ? also how does the starfish population fluctuate with the movement of transients ? any legitimate studies that anyone knows of ?

  • K'lo April 23, 2014 (4:02 pm)

    The sea lions were very aware, and quiet this morning – especially as the Orcas moved so very close to their hang out bouys. Yesterday, the sea lions moved up the Duwamish River (info via a ships captain) and hung out there until the whales were gone. Then the sea lions got all comfy rafting together out off Seacrest Park. It’s been a incredible wild life watching experience the last 3 days!

  • Eric1 April 23, 2014 (7:34 pm)

    Love how those sea lions are looking at the Orcas. They must have been sleeping when the Orca alert went out. You snooze, you lose.

  • Maggie Jahn April 24, 2014 (6:19 am)

    How exceptionally beautiful, thank you!!!!!!! :)

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