Early Canada goslings! We showed you Karen’s photo on Sunday – and today, David Hutchinson, who’s photographed the Canada goose families over the years, shares a closer look:

All 7 goslings with their parents were hanging out near the Water Taxi dock today. Photo shows everyone trying to crowd under mom’s wing on this cool February afternoon.

This makes the seventh year David has shared gosling photos here. Quick selection from the archives:

*First 2013 photo
*First 2012 photo
*First 2011 photo
*First 2010 photo
*First 2009 photo
*2008

Shared by Alki photographer David Hutchinson, who has also tracked local Canada goose families in seasons past, two photos and this report:

Spring seems to have arrived despite the cool weather. The first Harbor Avenue Canada Goose goslings have shown up right on schedule. If they manage to survive the bald eagles, off-leash dogs, and thoughtless humans, they should be making their first flight in about 2 1/2 months. Please keep an eye out for them as you drive along Harbor Ave as the grass always looks greener on the other side.

Last year, Alki photographer David Hutchinson shared several progress reports on Canada geese along Harbor Avenue SW, birth to maturity. This year, the photo you see above just arrived, under the heading “First Gosling Photo of 2010.” David explains:

The Canada Goose gosling season has begun on schedule along Harbor Avenue. This family of six goslings was seen getting acclimated to their new surroundings. Hopefully everyone will be tolerant of their presence over the next 2 ½ months as they roam the shoreline of Elliott Bay from Don Armeni south to Salty’s.

Thanks to Mary T. and David Sheely for sharing that photo from this afternoon’s low tide at Alki; the tide will be just as low tomorrow right before 2 pm, but then we won’t see tides this low till late May. Down the shore a ways, David Hutchinson checked back with some members of Harbor Avenue’s semi-celebrity Canada goose family:

Bonus — just as we were getting ready to hit “publish,” Alma sent us a photo of tonight’s sunset:

Thanks again to everyone who shares photos via WSB – whether breaking news or beautiful sunsets – editor@westseattleblog.com any time!

(March photo by David Hutchinson, Southern Residents seen from Constellation Park)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

News of what’s believed to be a newborn Southern Resident Killer Whale didn’t emerge until after The Whale Trail‘s summer gathering four nights ago.

Nonetheless, it was an optimistic, even jubilant gathering just the same, with an update on the resident orcas from their spring visits and the new laws meant to “give them space” on the water.

The gathering filled C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) last Thursday night, with The Whale Trail’s founder/executive director Donna Sandstrom first providing an update on her organization, which is now educating people from California to Canada about the orcas (and other sea life) with more than 130 interpretive signs installed so far, including four in West Seattle, “to connect people more deeply to the place they’re at.” Almost half those signs are in British Columbia, where the newest one – in Saturna – was just dedicated, with a special audio feature so that visitors can hear local First Nations people’s songs about the whales.

Read More

3:15 PM: The quality of the light outside is a bit reminiscent of late summer. That’s in part because of wildfire smoke that has drifted this way from Alberta. The National Weather Service tweeted a satellite image of the “high-level” smoke this morning, as well as photos of a redder-than-usual rising sun. Air-quality maps don’t show much trouble down here at ground level, though (here’s Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, here’s PurpleAir). The NWS’s latest forecast discussion notes, “Smoke should remain aloft with no major impacts expected at the surface but, could lead to a picturesque sunrise/sunset. For tonight, generally benign conditions are expected. … There’s a possibility we’ll continue to see more smoke/haze into Thursday but winds are showing signs of shifting.” As for the fires themselves, the CBC says almost 100 fires are burning in Alberta.

9:36 PM: It was definitely a summer-smoke type of sunset, as shown in David Hutchinson‘s photo, added above.

10:21 AM: The photo is from David Hutchinson, after he spotted baby Canada Geese along Harbor Avenue for the first time this year. He’s photographed them over the years and shared photos with us to share with you, but more than the cuteness factor, this serves as a warning to drivers and riders in the area too – Canada Goose families are known to cross the street (here’s another photographer’s view from a decade ago), so please be extra-careful in the area.

ADDED 3:37 PM: Theresa Arbow-O’Connor just sent these photos, also taken off Harbor Avenue:

(Photo by Mark Sears – permit 21348)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“It’s a good week for the whales!”

So declared Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail as her organization’s May gathering began at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).

She added: “It’s going to be different for the whales this summer and beyond.” Her explanation at the May 16th meeting was followed by an update from Mark Sears, the West Seattle-based researcher who is ofteb out with them when they visit central Puget Sound.

But first: Read More

(Canada Goose and gosling, photographed along Harbor SW by David Hutchinson)

Welcome to the weekend!

TAI CHI AT THE BEACH: It’s now the second month of the season for weekly Tai Chi at Alki, 9 am, with Caylen Storm, by Statue of Liberty Plaza. More info here. (2701 Alki SW)

WEST SEATTLE BEE FESTIVAL: Start as early as 9 am self-led Honey Run around High Point Commons Park, 10 am vendor fair, Urban Survival Skills Fair, activities, more, including 11:30 am participatory parade. Full schedule here. Free and fun until 2 pm. In and around the park, Lanham Place SW, High Point Neighborhood House. Check back for our as-it-happens coverage. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

PEONY AND BAMBOO FESTIVAL: 10 am-4 pm at Seattle Chinese Garden today and tomorrow. 11 am today, a highlight – the “thundering drums and energetic lion dancers of Northwest Wushu and Martial Arts.”

More info here. The garden is on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Beach-walking opportunity! It’s out to -1.7 feet at 11:23 am.

WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION/PACKET PICKUP: Noon-6 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), you can register for Sunday’s West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) if you’re not already signed up; if you are, you can pick up your packet – bib, T-shirt, chip. (2743 California SW)

BE AN EAGLE FOR THE DAY! The West Seattle Eagles are opening their Junction HQ for the day, starting at noon, so you can see what it’s like to be an Eagle for the day. No cost, no membership required, just stop in. (4426 California SW)

COLMAN POOL’S 2ND PRESEASON WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, go swimming in West Seattle’s only outdoor saltwater at-the-beach pool! On the shore at Lincoln Park. See the schedule here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY SPRING RELEASE: 1-7 pm, second day of the spring-release tastings and sales at Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. More info here.. (6000 16th SW)

KENYON HALL IN THE AFTERNOON: This is at 4 pm:

Recently Kenyon Hall received a gift of a beautiful 1929 Steinway grand piano, and word of its quality has reached the classical community. This Saturday afternoon performance features selections by Beethoven, Schubert, Poulenc, Copland, Debussy, and Sondheim, performed by flutist Libby Gray, soprano Lin Chen, and pianist Lucy Wenger.

Our calendar listing has info on how to get tickets/reservations. (7904 35th SW)

PAELLA AND BEER: Special event at Ounces! 5-7 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

HIGHLAND PARK UNCORKED: The Highland Park Improvement Club centennial celebration continues, and tonight’s wine celebration Uncorked is sold out! So we’re just mentioning it as a reminder if you DO have tickets. 5:30 pm happy hour starts it off. (1116 SW Holden)

‘MAD HATTER’ RAINBOW BINGO: Dinner and bingo at the South Park Senior Center, $20 in advance online, $25 at the door. 7 pm. 21+. Bring cash for cards and drinks. (8201 10th Ave. S.)

‘OFFICE HOUR’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain for Julia Cho‘s drama at ArtsWest; tickets available online here. (4711 California SW)

THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: 8 pm, “Inclusivity” is the theme, at Holy Rosary. Tickets available online. (42nd/Genesee)

‘GARAGE ROCK AND PSYCHEDELIA’: That’s what you’ll get at Parliament Tavern tonight starting at 9, with The Sinister Six, The Vashon Seed, Low Hums. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MORE! See the full lineup for today/tonight/beyond on our complete calendar.

David Hutchinson sent the photo – photographing Harbor Avenue Canada Goose goslings as he has for so many years – saying this is one of six goslings that are the first he’s seen this spring, adding, “Hope they keep out of the street where they usually end up looking for water to drink.” Be careful if you’re traveling in the area! Meantime, notes for the day/night ahead:

PROPERTY TAXES DUE! Forest reminds us to remind you that today is the deadline for the first of this year’s two payments for King County property owners.

HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL: 4 pm postseason game for Chief Sealth IHS vs. Garfield, 7 pm postseason game for West Seattle HS vs. Roosevelt. Both games at Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)

RECYCLED PAPER WORKSHOP: Still a spot or two left for tonight’s workshop with Linda McClamrock at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6 pm – register here ASAP! (5612 California SW)

48TH/CHARLESTOWN PARK MEETING: Interested in this future park site? Be at Dakota Place Park tonight, 6:30-8 pm, to see and talk about design concepts for the long-landbanked corner lot. (4304 SW Dakota)

SUFFERING F-HEADS: Punk/jazz duo at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … by checking our complete calendar here.

Family and friends will gather next Friday, January 4th, in memory of Catherine Mary Scott. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Cathy passed away peacefully on December 14, 2018 following medical complications from a fall in Seattle.

Cathy was the third child born to Angela and Bernard McIntyre in Detroit, Michigan on May 3, 1934. She joined older sisters, Mary and Joan, and was followed by four more siblings: John, Ed, Bob, and Angie. They all enjoyed summers in Maidstone, Ontario, Canada at their grandparents’ farm, where cousins joined them for fun and games. Following high school, Cathy’s work history in office support included Armstrong Cork in Detroit and Weaver Trucking, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, Sacred Heart Church, all in Seattle.

In 1962 Cathy left Detroit for Seattle, and quickly made friends among members of the Chancellor Club, a thriving club for single Catholics. In 1963 the club entered a float in the annual Seafair parade. Cathy worked on the float, hand-making tissue paper flowers to decorate the float and carrying the flag preceding the float in the parade – the float was a trophy winner!

In 1977 Cathy married Jay Scott and became stepmother to his seven children, Jerry (d), Mary, Chris, Mike, Theresa, Tim and Pete. Cathy’s parents, her husband Jay, and siblings John, Joan, Bob all predeceased her. Cathy is survived by six stepchildren, siblings Mary Coakley (Ed, d), Ed McIntyre (Beverly), and Angie Wall (Randy), sister in law, Diana McIntyre (Bob, d)m and numerous nieces and nephews. “Aunt Cathy” will be deeply missed by all, including her extended family of nieces, nephews, cousinsm and their children.

A memorial Mass celebrating Cathy’s life will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019, 1:00 p.m., Pigott Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle, with reception following.

Memorial donations may be made to the Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation, 4831 35th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98126 or to St. Ambrose Parish, 15020 Hampton Road, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230

Please Share Memories of Cathy on the tribute page at www.emmickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

(First 2 photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

A Canadian pipeline controversy drew protesters to the waters off West Seattle today. The flotilla was part of a day of sea and land demonstrations against Kinder Morgan, which has a terminal on Harbor Island. The company plans to expand its Trans Mountain Pipeline, from the Alberta tar sands to British Columbia, and opponents say that would mean a dramatic increase in oil tankers traveling in waters that are home to the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, among other concerns.

Along with the kayak and canoe protesters, who ended up launching from east of Seacrest Pier, there were rallies and marching on land, including at Jack Perry Park along East Marginal, where a participant texted us this photo:

Here’s some backstory on the pipeline expansion, first proposed 4 1/2 years ago, and the controversy.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Two more West Seattle photos, shared by David Hutchinson:

Watch out for the Canada goslings along Harbor Avenue SW! David Hutchinson shared the photograph and reminder. Speaking of traffic alerts, remember all the I-5 ramp/lane closures this weekend. Now, on to all the reasons NOT to leave our area!

RECORD STORE DAY: This national near-holiday is huge at Easy Street Records, which opens at 7 am. The big day includes performances – Noah Gundersen at 5 pm, Hyways at 7 pm. More info here! (California/Alaska)

TAI CHI AT ALKI: 9 am by Statue of Liberty Plaza, it’s the third Saturday of the season for Tai Chi at the beach with Caylen Storm. By donation. (61st/Alki)

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION SPRING CLEAN: Volunteers welcome! 9 am-noon, starting with breakfast at Junction Plaza Park. Just show up! (42nd SW/SW Alaska)

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 9 am-3 pm, the Bloodmobile is in The Junction. Walk-ups welcome; closed 11 am-noon for break time. More info in our calendar listing. (42nd SW/SW Alaska)

HEALTHY KIDS DAY: 10 am-1 pm at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), the annual free and fun celebration, nonmembers welcome too – see our preview for more on what’s happening, including the performance schedule. All ages! (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

WYATT’S ANNIVERSARY: 10 am-6 pm, Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) invites you to its anniversary sale in the heart of Westwood Village. (2600 SW Barton)

DUWAMISH ALIVE! 10 am-2 pm, the multi-location work party celebrates Earth Day all around our area, supporting our region’s only river, and its watershed. Go here to see where you can volunteer. Opening ceremonies are at T-107 Park in West Seattle, with this schedule:

9:45 – James Rasmussen, Stewardship
9:50 – Blake WhiteWolf Shelafoe, Duwamish Tribe Welcoming
9:55 – Commissioner Ryan Calkins: Emission reduction in the Puget Sound, 2016 Air Emission Initiative
10:00 – Steve Metruck – Port Projects from EPA & hiring an Equity Person and near
10:10 – Mayor Jenny Durkan

And then it’ll be time to dig in. (4700 W. Marginal Way SW)

GARDEN CENTER OPEN HOUSE, WITH FREE COMPOST: 10 am-3 pm open house at the Garden Center on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus – including free bulk compost (bring your own shovel and container)! Details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS CLOSED: As noted here earlier this week, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is closed today because they’ll be at the Tacoma Guitar Festival. Back to regular hours next week! (4736 California SW)

FRY-BREAD CLASS: At the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, the tribe’s chair Cecile Hansen is teaching a class in making fry bread, 11 am-1 pm – info here, including another date coming up if you miss today. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

FORUM ON HOMELESSNESS: 1 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, you’re invited to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-hosted forum on homelessness – from how the crisis happened, to what you can do. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

ROLLER DERBY: 5:45 pm doors at Southgate Roller Rink: “Watch Rainier Roller Girls take on Rose City’s Heartless Heathers in a Mean Girls vs. Heathers sneer-down, our 4th bout of the season. Wear your scrunchies!” More info in our calendar listing. (9646 17th SW)

‘THE PORTABLE DOROTHY PARKER’: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, second of three nights for the Pacific Northwest premiere, with Margot Avery as Dorothy Parker; the playwright is Annie Lux, and the director is Lee Costello. More info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

‘TWELFTH NIGHT’: 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, second-to-last chance to see this jazzy, bluesy version of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” presented by West Seattle-headquartered Twelfth Night Productions. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘AN OCTOROON’: First weekend for the new ArtsWest production – curtain time 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

(added) WONKY: Thanks to Pamela for the tip: “Wonky, a West Seattle band, is playing a free gig at Poggie Tavern in The Junction tonight. Opening band starts at 9:00.”

THERE’S MORE! Browse our complete calendar by going here.

(Photo by David Hutchinson, from Alki Beach)

Thank you to everyone who sent photos from tonight’s sunset, reddened by wildfire smoke that kept thickening as the day proceeded. Up in British Columbia, the smoke is hindering the fight against the fires that are causing it.

(Photo by Jamie Kinney, looking over the Fauntleroy ferry dock)

Our state has fires burning too, but nothing like what’s going on in B.C.

(Photo by Jim Borrow, from Upper Alki)

You can check the air-quality status on the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website.

(Photo by Gary Jones, from Alki Point)

And remember we’re still under an Excessive Heat Warning alert through Friday night.

(Photo by Jeff Kaufer, from Constellation Park)

The smoke is even mentioned in the forecast.

Thanks to David Hutchinson for another baby photo from the resident Canada geese. *Scroll to the end of this story for his side note regarding the photo. First – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR: 11 am-3 pm at Daystar – details in our listing. (2615 SW Barton)

CHIEF SEALTH IHS MULTICULTURAL NIGHT: 6 pm, everyone’s invited to the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria: “One of CSI’s favorite community events, Multicultural Night is a fun-filled evening of cultural performances, community information, and free food that represents the ethnic diversity of our student body. This is one of the events that truly make us a global village!” (2600 SW Thistle)

SQUIRREL BUTTER & SCOTT KNICKERBOCKER: An evening of American roots music @ C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover; tips appreciated. (5612 California SW)

‘SAVE A UNICORN’ BENEFIT: 7 pm at The Skylark, benefit to help Amanda Hutchins conquer cancer. Singing, dancing, rope-jumping, more – it’s a variety show. Tickets available here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

‘ADDAMS FAMILY’ AT WSHS: The new West Seattle High School Drama Club & Music Department musical comedy opens tonight in the WSHS Theater! 7:30 pm; ticket info here, production info here. (3000 California SW)

MORE FOR TODAY/TONIGHT/BEYOND … on our complete calendar.

****

*The side note from photographer David, mentioned above: “I know that Canada geese aren’t the most popular bird on the planet, but this little guy is kind of cute. This is another good reason for compliance with the dogs on a leash rule. These geese are generally terrified of dogs (especially large or active ones), even if the dogs are leashed but the owners approach too close. Over the years I have noticed that when the geese make a break to escape to the water by scrambling over the large rocks lining the shore, the small goslings can’t keep up and frequently fall in the large gaps in the rocks and are then trapped – or injure their legs trying to jump across. My wife and I have taken quite a number of the injured ones to PAWS where they usually end up having to be euthanized.”

It isn’t spring on WSB without a Canada-gosling(s) photo by David Hutchinson, whose note accompanying the photo above said, “Noticed these 3 goslings with parents heading for shore along Harbor Ave this past weekend. Spring has arrived.” (Scroll down for Lise Thivierge‘s photo of goose and goslings on shore.) And now, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

4 STORY TIMES: Coming up at local libraries in the hours ahead – Toddler Story Time at 10:30 am at Southwest Library (35th SW/SW Henderson), Preschool Story Time at 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), Baby Story Time at 11:30 am at High Point Library, and Somali Story Time at 5 pm, also at High Point (35th SW/SW Raymond).

DREAM DINNERS ‘FREEZER SALE’: 10:30 am-12:30 pm, see what’s pre-assembled and ready to buy in the freezer at Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), on the street-level outer east side of Jefferson Square. (4701 41st SW)

ENTREPRENEUR MEETUP: Bring your lunch to West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), noon-1:15 pm, and meet other local entrepreneurs. (6040 California SW)

FINAL WEEK FOR ‘VIOLET’: Been to the musical @ ArtsWest yet? Time’s running out. Tonight, it’s a 7:30 pm curtain. (4711 California SW)

TALARICO’S TRIVIA: The biggest local trivia night, 8:30 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria in The Junction. Details in our listing. (4718 California SW)

(ADDED: Photo by David Hutchinson)
12:31 PM: We’re on the shore at Duwamish Head as the Seafair Parade of Ships fleet comes into view to the northwest, passing Bainbridge Island, with the amphibious-assault ship USS Boxer (looks like an aircraft carrier, but isn’t) in the lead. And, as also previewed this morning …

(WSB photo by Tracy Record)
… the Blue Angels have just flown by, after buzzing the Mariners-game crowd at Safeco Field, now en route to a Whidbey Island flyover.

(ADDED: Photo by Robert Spears, post-Safeco, pre-West Seattle)
Still time to get to the Alki/Duwamish Head/etc. shore if you want to watch the ships. More to come.

(ADDED: Photo by Gary Jones)
1 PM: Right on time, the lead ships are making the turn at Alki Point and heading along the north/northwest-facing West Seattle shore.

1:25 PM: USS Boxer is now fully in view from Duwamish Head, with two destroyers to follow, fireboat Leschi ahead of it, and a Coast Guard patrol escort alongside it.

(ADDED: USS Boxer photo by Lynn Hall)

USS Gridley, with USCGC Midgett behind it… #seafair pic.twitter.com/IBQwriw4fh

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 29, 2015

(ADDED: Photo by Monica Zaborac – USCGC Midgett and HMCS Brandon)

1:48 PM: The parade continues; USS Boxer is now turning northward along the downtown waterfront, right behind the water-spouting fireboat Leschi.

More spectators out here than in years past, on the shore and in the water via kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. If you’ve missed earlier coverage – the ships will dock on the waterfront at Piers 66, 69, and 90, where they’ll be open for tours the next four days.

HMCS Whitehorse is next, followed by HMCS Brandon.

2:03 PM: And that’s it – at least from West Seattle, though we can still see the ships on their “official” downtown passes. Thanks to everyone who’s sending photos – we’ll be adding (and substituting) shortly!

(ADDED: Photos by David Hutchinson – CGC Midgett, above, USS Boxer, below)

Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo and update:

The goslings along Harbor Ave are growing up fast and are almost a month old now. One of the original three disappeared a few days ago but they were joined by a family with 5 others late last month. Looks like that will probably be all for this year.

David also shared a photo here in April (there, you’ll also see links to his lovely gosling photos from previous years).

Headed for the water? The baby Canada Goose photo and reminder are from David Hutchinson:

Three goslings were hatched recently on the pilings north of Salty’s. A couple years ago, their father was taken to PAWS by Seal Sitters. He had been attacked by a dog and suffered a severe bite while trying to protect his goslings near the Don Armeni boat ramp.

It would be thoughtful if you come across them while walking your dog (which is hopefully on a leash) to keep at a distance. If approached, they will panic and try to scramble over the rocks to escape to the water. Often, the small goslings will fall into the crevices and become trapped. People have been pretty considerate in the past while driving on Harbor Ave by stopping and allowing them to cross the road – the grass is always greener on the other side.

This is the eighth year David has shared at least one gosling photo via WSB. From the archives:

*2014
*First 2013 photo
*First 2012 photo
*First 2011 photo
*First 2010 photo
*First 2009 photo
*2008

We’re featuring two photos of West Seattle’s beautiful birds today. First, thanks to David Hutchinson for the then-and-now photo: “The Harbor Avenue Canada Goose goslings have done a lot of growing up in the past 7 weeks. The top photo was taken on February 19th, while the bottom is from earlier this week on April 9th.” Second, thanks also to Chris Frankovich for the eagle photo featured below! Now, on with the calendar highlights:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, with more returning vendors every week now that we’re well into spring. (44th/Alaska)

STORYTELLING AT DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE: 2 pm, in honor of the upcoming Earth Day, native and non-native storytellers with tales of Earth and our relationship with it. Details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

LEARN ABOUT EDIBLE GARDENING: 2 pm at Delridge Branch Library – details here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

LADIES’ MUSICAL CLUB: Classical music, live at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, 3 pm. Program details here. (2306 42nd SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Burgundy Pearl performs acoustic Americana at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

FINAL PERFORMANCE OF ‘A … MY NAME IS ALICE’: 5 pm at historic Kenyon Hall, it’s the final performance of this musical-comedy revue presented by Twelfth Night Productions. (7904 35th SW)

BOOZE, BALLS & BINGO BENEFIT: The monthly drag-bingo/charity-benefit event at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 5:30 pm, this month raising money for LoveForMark.com. (6451 California SW)

As always, there’s even more on our calendar!

Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing the photo of the first Canada goslings spotted off Harbor Avenue this year – earlier than usual. Be careful in the area – the families cross the road! Meantime, here are highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BE AN ORCHARD STEWARD: This is the second week of the Community Orchard of West Seattle‘s new season of weekly Thursday afternoon meetups, 3-5 pm, north side of the South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Details here.

THE WHALE TRAIL’S 2ND ORCA TALK: It’s been more than 7 years since our resident orcas were listed as endangered; are they recovering? NOAA’s Lynne Barre is tonight’s guest for the 2nd talk in The Whale Trail‘s series, 6:30 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), with Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey and tox-ick org’s “Diver Laura” James on hand too. Suggested donation $5.

SEATTLE POLICE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS: The Alki Community Council board will hear from Seattle Police about the cameras that were installed, unannounced, a month ago. Here’s our preview from last night, and our coverage archive. It’s a briefing, not a hearing, but the public is welcome, 7 pm at Alki UCC (62nd/Hinds).

SOUTHWEST TEEN LIFE CENTER ADVISORY COUNCIL: Get involved with the center and its activities as a community participant with the advisory council – or, just stop by the meeting to see what’s happening. 7 pm, 2801 SW Thistle.

NIGHTLIFE … comedy at The Benbow Room, live music at venues including Angelina’s, DJ at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), pub quiz at A Terrible Beauty … see all the listings on our calendar.

(1st three photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
One event that did NOT get rained out today – the Alki Bathhouse celebration of the 10th anniversary of Springer the orca’s family reunion, hosted by West Seattle-headquartered The Whale Trail. Above, a Springer likeness at the kids’ activities table; attendees of all ages listened to memories of what it took to get Springer safely home to her family in Canada, after she was found hundreds of miles away in Puget Sound:

As recounted on The Whale Trail’s website, “Two governments and hundreds of people worked together to get the little whale home. But the final step was up to the orcas – Would her family recognize her? Would they accept her back?” They did – and that is why the achievement, and Springer’s ongoing life with her family, is cause to celebrate:

Springer is a northern resident orca, belonging to a group separate from her Puget Sound cousins, southern resident orcas. The northern residents are believed to number more than 200, more than twice the size of the southern residents, which are officially listed as endangered. Groups like The Whale Trail are working to educate people about how to help them survive; that’s why, as part of today’s event, TWT dedicated new signage you’ll find in West Seattle – placed along the shore, where you can watch whales in a way that impacts them the least:

The Whale Trail provided that photo, noting that, “George Taylor, sons and members of the Le-La-La First Nations dance company performed a killer whale mask dance and other traditional ‘Kwakwakakw dances. Members of the group from a canoe in Dong Chong Bay greeted Springer with the same mask when she returned home 10 years ago.”

ADDED 11:55 PM: Thanks to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for this view of the mask as the dancers performed inside the bathhouse:

P.S. If you weren’t here and/or don’t remember the coverage of the rescue and reunion – there’s some archive video in this recent story by Canada’s CTV that’s viewable via YouTube.

(First 2 photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Walking at Don Armeni this morning, we stopped to watch one of the local Canada goose families as they headed up the ramp and off to truly greener pastures park lawns. We can’t even approach the cuteness factor of David Hutchinson’s last parent-and-gosling photo, but we snapped away bravely just the same.

Then, just as we were about to publish those two photos, Cheryl Nellis shared low-tide sights via Facebook – including this view of a great blue heron taking wing as brant munch eelgrass in the foreground:

(Thanks to Cheryl and the other great local photographers who share images – wildlife and otherwise – via WSB!)