WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas, northbound

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Added 4:04 pm – photo by Monica Zaborac)

10:28 AM: Thanks to the texter who reports Orca Network commenters have just seen orcas headed northbound past Point Robinson on Maury Island, across the Sound from Des Moines, so if they keep heading this way, they could be within view from West Seattle before too long. If they’re the same ones seen southbound yesterday, they’re Southern Resident Killer Whales.

11 AM: Orca Network commenter reports them near Three Tree Point as of about 10 minutes ago, still northbound.

11:32 AM: Texter says they’re seeing whale spouts from the Fauntleroy ferry dock vicinity.

12:48 PM: In view from Lowman, Kersti says in comments!

2:01 PM: Gary comments that at least two are in view just south of Alki Point, still northbound.

4:05 PM: Judging by Orca Network discussion, they’ve passed West Seattle now, still heading north.

AH Folks December 6, 2017 (11:03 am)

Beautiful, endangered and starving orcas – wish we could point all those escaped fishery salmon your way!

Kersti Muul December 6, 2017 (12:41 pm)

Watching from lowman 🤗

Big breaches

Gary Jones December 6, 2017 (1:58 pm)

Seeing at least two orcas slowly heading north just south of Alki Point, a bit closer to the West Seattle side than mid channel.

WSB December 6, 2017 (2:00 pm)

Thank you!

Annika December 6, 2017 (5:47 pm)

What a beautiful day today! I’m so thankful that the chum salmon run has been decent this year (especially after the dismal chinook run). Hope the orcas have been getting lots to eat!

Thanks to WSB, and Orca Network for all the updates and photos. And thank you to the folks of Whale Scout, who are handing out cards so that people can sign up with them to receive orca sighting updates in real-time.

It’s been wonderful seeing them so often in this area this autumn. I saw a female breach 3 times today when I was watching from Emma Schmitz park. Yay! And, it was great to see that L87 (Onyx) is still swimming with J pod! :)