West Seattle Blog…

Love low-tide walks? Be a volunteer beach naturalist!

(June 2011 photo by Jim Clark)
What could be better than walking West Seattle beaches during low-low tides and enjoying sights like that? How about – being there during low-low tides as a volunteer beach naturalist, to help others learn about the beach and how to be careful while on it! Here’s your chance:

Care about beaches? Good with people? Sign up to be a volunteer beach naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium at a Seattle-area beach this summer. Naturalists will attend a program orientation on Tuesday, March 13, and receive training from marine and interpretative experts on five weekday evenings (3/20, 4/4, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1) and three weekend days (3/25, 4/7, 5/6). Once trained, volunteers spend three summer days educating visitors about beach ecology and beach etiquette at Carkeek Park, Constellation Park (Alki), Des Moines Beach Park, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, Redondo Beach, Richmond Beach, or Seahurst Park. To sign up or get more information, please e-mail beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org or call (206) 386.4365.

West Seattle wildlife: Bird’s-eye view of well-known goose

While volunteering for Seal Sitters in the Lincoln Park vicinity recently, Alki-based photographer David Hutchinson got a close-up look at the famous white geese who live in the area. (They’ve been discussed on WSB before, but never with such a striking photo – thanks!)

Followup: Bullet discovered in sea lion found dead at Lincoln Park

(Monday photo by RyAnn – onlookers young and old with the dead sea lion on the beach)
The California sea lion found dead at Lincoln Park earlier this week had been shot, reports Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters. She had told us the sea lion would be necropsied – and late Thursday night, she sent word of results:

I am sad to report that indeed the necropsy yesterday revealed a bullet in the left lung lobe of the California sea lion at Lincoln Park. The animal’s intestines were also twisted and will be examined. Causes can range from obstruction by fishing lures and line to tumors, but could also be from trauma of the shooting. WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations will turn over the evidence and information to NOAA Office for Law Enforcement for investigation.

Robin has published more details on the Seal Sitters’ “Blubberblog” site.

West Seattle scenes: Life lessons at Lincoln Park

On the shore at Lincoln Park Monday, lessons in life and death. First – a California sea lion was discovered dead on the shore. Above, RyAnn shared the photo above, which she described as “three little explorers, the seal, and a gentle man who works at the aquarium.”

Cathy also sent us a report about the dead sea lion, which she said was being checked out by a Seattle Police officer while she was there. But she also spotted a baby seal on the beach: “Seal Sitters were there watching over him and I had a wonderful time chatting with the husband and wife team that was ‘on duty’.” Here’s her photo:

That may not have been the only seal pup on shore Monday, according to an update on the Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog” site, which mentions a pup visiting Lincoln Park twice, and another (or MAYBE the same) pup visiting a “private beach” elsewhere in West Seattle.

ADDED 12:41 PM: From Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters:

Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SSMMSN) discovered the California sea lion yesterday, took photos and submitted them to our consulting WDFW marine mammal biologist. The animal will be necropsied by a WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations Unit team tomorrow with assistance of SSMMSN volunteers. In the meantime, people need to stay back from the carcass – marine mammals (dead and alive) can transmit diseases to both humans and dogs. Please respect the biodegradable tape perimeter that will be re-established today.

The sea lion will be secured with a rope to the logs on the beach so that the body is not washed away by high tide before tomorrow’s necropsy.

ADDED 4:08 PM: We asked Robin about suspicion the sea lion might have been shot, given the appearance of a couple photos we received (too graphic to publish). Her reply:

> Rumors about the animal being shot are strictly that – rumors. Often what people assume are bullet holes are nothing of the kind. In reality, according to our consulting expert biologist, bullet wounds are usually quite small and difficult to identify on a large, decomposing animal. And locating a bullet that is embedded in hundreds of pounds of muscle and tissue is a difficult endeavor. The wound that folks are speculating about may just be where the animal has been scavenged by birds, pecking through the flesh. However, this is not to say, it is absolutely not an entry wound that has been enlarged by scavenging. This is the reason the stranding network performs necropsies whenever possible – to try to determine the cause of death and keep an eye on the health of our marine mammal populations.

It is indeed a sad fact that too many sea lions and seals are shot each year, unjustly blamed for dwindling fish stocks – when they are just trying to survive in the wild with less and less resources to support them.

We will keep everyone updated as to the necropsy findings tomorrow.

Video: ‘Bubbles’ on the rocks with Seal Sitters for New Year’s

Following the sad news about Frosty the seal pup, West Seattle-based Seal Sitters was heartened to end the year with a visit from this pup, promptly dubbed “Bubbles.” Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey shared the video of Bubbles; you can see more of her video and photos as pup visits (and other “news on the beach”) is chronicled on their Blubberblog site, where you’ll also find their year-end wrap-up – as noted here previously, it was a record year for pup sightings on local beaches, keeping the all-volunteer Seal Sitters busy. If you see a seal or other marine mammal on a local beach, call them at 206-905-SEAL (7325).

Lowman Beach overflow project: Design meeting Tuesday

Want an update on what the Murray combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) control facility is going to look like when it’s built across from Lowman Beach Park, starting in about 2 years? Your next chance is Tuesday (December 13), 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 Fauntleroy Way SW), as the project’s volunteer Design Advisory Group meets, public welcome. More details ahead, from the county’s announcement: Click to read the rest of Lowman Beach overflow project: Design meeting Tuesday…

West Seattle wildlife: Seal pup ‘Spanky’ rescued by ‘superhero’

News tonight from Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters:

I thought your readers might want to know that seal pup Spanky was rescued successfully today after falling off a high rock, deep into a hole between immense boulders late yesterday afternoon. It was quite a challenging predicament for the little pup who could not climb back out – and we could not reach in far enough to get him. Spanky has been a fixture along the west side rocks since we first discovered him on October 5th, entertaining volunteers and onlookers almost daily with his antics. We want to thank everyone who has respected the stranding network’s tape perimeter which has been put in place on busier days so he could rest undisturbed. Thankfully, we have had a good ending to this nerve-wracking incident and we hope Spanky returns to his rocky stretch of beach – just not to this particular rock!

Robin says a state wildlife worker turned into a seal-rescuing “superhero” to get Spanky out of there – she tells the story on Seal Sitters’ “Blubberblog” site. (And remember that if you see a seal, or any marine mammal, on a local beach, call 206-905-7325 [SEAL] to let SS know.)

West Seattle weekend scene: Sleepy seal gets a serenade

As noted here previously, including this report yesterday, seal-pup season is at its height, on beaches all around West Seattle. Wildlife watcher/writer/photographer Trileigh Tucker saw this one today – and mentions this sweet encounter:

There was another seal pup on a West Seattle beach this morning, and a kind passerby named Barbara was caring enough to wait with it until Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters arrived. I was so touched by how respectful and considerate all the Sunday morning walkers were of this little seal’s need to rest.

I was particularly moved by a little girl, accompanied by her parents, who spontaneously sang to the pup, a wake-up song just like her mother apparently sang to her. If her parents see this, they should know that their daughter gives me hope for our future!

Trileigh’s website Natural Presence tells a longer version of the tale.

Coastal Cleanup Day: Dozens of volunteers clean Alki

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Continuing our coverage of a very busy day around West Seattle: Dozens of volunteers hit the beach this morning at Alki for a cleanup sponsored by JACK-FM radio. Here’s the Kazen family, doing their part:

This was one of many cleanups today around the region/state/world – in honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day.

West Seattle wildlife: Seal pup ‘Cupcake’ visits Jack Block Park

Yet another reason to remember the tenet “Share the Shore” (noticed the new Alki banners yet?) – the latest seal sighting, shared this time by West Seattle-based entrepreneur/speaker Sunny Kobe Cook (thanks!), who says her photo shows:

A newly identified, healthy harbor-seal pup, named “Cupcake” by visitors to Jack Block Park this afternoon. A Seal Sitters volunteer came, took pictures, recorded the find, set up a tape barrier to be sure the pup wasn’t disturbed, and provided information to park visitors.

Watch the Seal Sitters “Blubberblog” site for news on other recent pup sightings on local beaches, and remember that if you see a seal, or any marine mammal, on a local beach, call 206-905-7325 (SEAL) to let SS know.

As pups turn up onshore, Seal Sitters remind you: Stay back

Friday was a busy day for Seal Sitters on West Seattle shores, as first responder Robin Lindsey writes on their Blubberblog website. The final pup report of the day gives rise to a reminder – if you see a pup on the beach, stay as far away as you can, and keep others away too, until Seal Sitters can get a volunteer there to keep watch. We received a Twitter report of the Lincoln Park sighting, photo included, along with a question about who to call; we replied with the Seal Sitters’ number (we suggest adding it to your contact list – 206-905-SEAL [905-7325]) and advice to keep everybody back. Robin writes that the pup was apparently scared back into the water, which can be deadly – they are usually left on the beach by their moms, who go off to find food and return for their nursing pups, and if the pup is scared into the water, mom might not find it. Read more about how to handle marine-mammal sightings at sealsitters.org.

Trash, shore, water don’t mix: Consider a holiday cleanup

Neal Chism – who more than does his part to clean up local waterways – sent photos this week, showing last weekend’s trash trouble at the fishing bridge just east of the “low bridge.”

It’s not just an eyesore. It’s a reminder of why trash by the water carries an extra hazard, whether bagged or not – if it gets into the water, it’s not only a hazard to local wildlife, it could eventually find itself to giant, growing repositories like the “garbage patch” in the Pacific. Neal also sent his photos to local authorities, and replies indicated that SDOT, which manages/maintains that area, would investigate more-frequent trash pickup during fishing season.

But a separate note we received, from Suzanne, brings a suggestion/solution: We can not only take care of our own trash, but can go the extra mile, as has Neal, to pick up others’. She suggested that if you have some time this Labor Day weekend, you might consider an impromptu beach/shore cleanup effort, no matter how small – every little bit helps:

I’m hoping that by getting the word out, it might also help people become more aware of the impacts that littering has, and cause folks to think twice about just leaving something behind to let the wind and water take it away – for someone else to deal with.

A friend and I spent several hours picking up LOTS of litter [earlier this week] along the beach at Constellation Park during low tide. We were shocked at how much we collected. It would be fantastic if other folks helped out this weekend along their favorite beaches. Low tides this weekend in West Seattle: Saturday: 3:33 pm; Sunday: 4:45 pm; Monday: 6:23 pm. Be sure to bring bags to collect the litter. Gloves too, ideally. -We didn’t have gloves and wished we did.

Suzanne also says that People for Puget Sound would like to have photos of anything you pick up, particularly plastic trash, since they are getting ready to launch an awareness campaign, so she sent us a postscript before we published this:

Please ask everyone to take photos of what they collect, with the plastic being especially evident and send them to Heather Trim, htrim@pugetsound.org. She is asking that the photos be taken at an angle to show detail, and ideally not in super bright sunlight.

P.S. If you do find some time to do some beach cleanup this weekend – we’d love to see your photos too, to celebrate everything, no matter how small, that neighbors are doing to keep Puget Sound healthier. (P.S. In two weeks you can also join an organized cleanup at Lincoln Park – info here – but don’t let that stop you from getting out this weekend … two more weeks and who knows where today’s trash will be. (Read up on the sea-trash problem here.)

Season’s 1st West Seattle seal-pup visit brings urgent reminder

(Photo courtesy Robin Lindsey)
Seal-pup season has officially begun on West Seattle beaches, with this little one’s visit to Lincoln Park today. Shelley first told us about it; we checked with Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters, and they were of course all over the case (here’s the full story on the Seal Sitters “Blubberblog”). But Robin says the arrival of the pup they dubbed “Tiny” – so little, they believe it was a newborn – brings an urgent reminder: When you spot a pup on the beach, stay as far back as possible, and call Seal Sitters ASAP – 206-905-SEAL. A pup might be scared back into the water if people (or other animals) get too close, and that could be deadly, because its mom, who left it on the beach so she could go find food, might not find the pup again. (There’s already been a dead seal pup near Alki Point, and a dead adult seal along Beach Drive. Robin says Seal Sitters – whose mission has expanded – and NOAA want ALL reports of marine mammals, dead or alive, so whatever you spot, call that hotline, 206-905-SEAL – keep it handy.)

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: Robin says another expert’s evaluation of the photo confirms the suspicion that the pup still had a bit of “umbilicus” attached – so it’s likely no more than a week and a half old, and she thinks it’ll probably turn up on the West Seattle shore again today. PLEASE call if you see it.

West Seattle weekend scene: Alki outriggers, from above

Another incredible West Seattle aerial view from Gatewood pilot/photographer Long B. Nguyen – this time, over the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s “Da Grind” racing event during the low-tide Saturday on Alki (our earlier ground coverage is here). Here’s another view – another low tide today, by the way, -2.0 just before noon.

Happening now: Outrigger-canoe racing brings Hawai’i to Alki

As previewed in this morning’s “West Seattle Saturday” lineup – the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club is on (and off!) Alki Beach today for its annual “Da Grind” race day. They’re running two courses, a 12-mile and a 4-mile; the third wave of racing is scheduled to head out around 2:30 pm.

The first wave had already headed out when we stopped by, but we did get a good view of today’s low tide (-2.1 at about quarter past 11):

No outriggers tomorrow, but the tide will be almost as low, -2.0 just before noon tomorrow.

ADDED: April Long shared more photos (thank you!):

Update: Tribes’ canoes on the beach at Alki for Tribal Journey

1:59 PM: This afternoon on Alki (thanks to Dan for the tip!), the Blue Heron Canoe landed ahead of other tribal canoes that are expected as part of this year’s Tribal Journey, in which Native Americans from all over the Northwest are canoeing to a rendezvous hosted by the Swinomish in the La Conner area of Skagit County. Michael (didahalqid) Evans of the Snohomish skippers the Blue Heron (and can be heard, according to tradition, asking for permission to land). The rest of the Blue Heron’s itinerary is listed on its website. Other canoes are expected at Alki — as reported here, Linda Blackinton shared news of the Samish‘s plans to launch from here tomorrow morning — so if you’d like to see them, keep an eye on the beach (we will too).

5:17 PM UPDATE: Just went back to Alki, and as of around an hour ago, we counted 15 canoes:

Journey participants are all expected to join the Swinomish next Monday.

7:08 PM UPDATE: Alki photographer David Hutchinson shared photos from the canoes’ arrival:

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: While at Alki for a different story early today, we asked the security officer guarding the canoes when they were scheduled to take off. “Between 9 and 10″ was his reply.

Watch for Tribal Journey canoes at Alki Beach this Thursday

(2008 photo by David Hutchinson)
It’s been a few years since canoes have visited Alki during the annual Tribal Journeys, but it sounds like we can expect a sighting this week. Linda Blackinton (Se-Se-Sa-Such-leetsa) of the Samish Tribe e-mailed to say:

I just found out today, from my brother, that the Samish Tribal Canoes and others, will be leaving Alki Beach (east of the promenade) this Thursday morning, July 21st, at 8:30 a.m. Anyone who wants to come watch them can. I don’t know how many canoes will be there, I only know that is where the Samish are leaving from. Their next stop will be at Suquamish, across the bay, and to the north of Bainbridge. My brother runs his boat as the Support Boat for our tribe, the Samish. Hope you can let everyone know about this.

The Swinomish (headquartered in La Conner) are hosting this year’s Tribal Journey, with landings expected one week from tomorrow.

Seafair Pirates Landing 2011 at Alki: They’ve landed!

1:03 PM: Within the past 15 minutes or so, the Seafair Pirates landed at Alki. Video to come. We’re told Moby Duck will make an appearance later in the day; we also hear the Pirates are planning to be at West Seattle’s Avalon restaurant after 7 pm or so tonight.

2:13 PM: Just added the video!

3:07 PM: And … we’ve added a couple photos too – just before the Pirates stepped off, at the edge of the shore, above; the Seattle Police boat showing off for the crowd, below:

No worries if you missed the Pirates today – they’ll be in the West Seattle Grand Parade exactly two weeks from today, July 23rd, starting in the Admiral District at 11 am and heading south along California SW.

West Seattle scene: Canoe-building at Lowman Beach

These past few brilliantly sunny/warm afternoons, if you visited Lowman Beach north of Lincoln Park, you might have seen Tom hard at work on his canoe. We heard about him from Karl Sutter, who has been watching Tom’s progress. Karl shared the first two photos, explaining that Tom had already been out in his carved canoe – but was adding an outrigger:

Then we stopped by on the 4th of July afternoon, for a firsthand look:

The original canoe even works with a 4-to-6-horsepower motor, and at last report, he was looking for an additional one.

West Seattle weekend scene: Eagles on the beach

(Click image for a larger view)
Making a very public West Seattle appearance on the eve of the most patriotic of holidays, it’s our national symbol, the bald eagle, times two, on a stretch of Alki sand revealed as the tide goes out (it’ll be -2.0 at 1:56 pm). Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for sharing the photo!

One week away: Seafair Pirates Landing – and pancakes – on Alki

(WSB photo from 2008 Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki)
While the biggest West Seattle event next weekend is Summer Fest in The Junction (3 days starting Friday), we know a few (thousand) folks will likely duck over to Alki next Saturday to provide a welcoming party for everyone’s favorite marauders, the Seafair Pirates. Saturday, July 9th, is indeed the annual Seafair Pirates Landing, and we hear that there might even be a Moby Duck sighting (you’ll recall their beloved landborne “ship” ran into hard times last fall). The landing itself is between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, per the Pirates’ page – but here’s a good reason to get to the beach long before then (besides securing yourself a better parking/viewing spot): From 7 am till 10 am that same morning, the annual Pirates and Pancakes breakfast fundraiser will be happening at Alki Bathhouse, right in the landing zone. $5 gets you pancakes and coffee or juice, and it’s a benefit for Sports in Schools, which is sponsoring WSB this week to promote the event.

On festival’s eve, Port of Seattle opens Jack Block Park shoreline

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A long-closed West Seattle beach is open tonight, awash in colorful paddling boats and gear, and exhibitors’ tents, ready for the first-ever Northwest Paddling Festival this weekend. On the festival’s eve, the Port of Seattle‘s official opening of the once-industrial-pollution-tainted Jack Block Park shoreline was celebrated with, not a ribbon-cutting, but a ribbon-untying:

Among those participating, West Seattle paddlesports advocate Greg Whittaker at left, proprietor of Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters and a driving force behind the festival, with Port of Seattle Commissioner Gael Tarleton to his left – with others including the park’s namesake, longtime commissioner Jack Block (Sr.), who was also one of the speakers before the dedication:

Block, who served on the commission 1974-2001, noted that it was a “20-year project” and that he had said a while back, “I hope I live long enough to see this project dedicated.” So tonight, he said triumphantly, “I made it!”

Click to read the rest of On festival’s eve, Port of Seattle opens Jack Block Park shoreline…

Second ‘Hands Across the Sand’ on Alki Beach this Saturday

(WSB photo from 2010 ‘Hands Across the Sand’)
Once again this year, “Hands Across the Sand” demonstrations are planned on shorelines around the country, including Alki Beach, where we photographed the inaugural local event a year ago. The Sierra Club says it’s intended “to champion clean energy solutions that will move us beyond oil — and protect our coastal economies and marine wildlife.” Alki’s “Hands Across the Sand” is scheduled for noon this Saturday, just east of Alki Bathhouse; more here.

West Seattle ‘red’ water followup: What the state says

(Monday photo courtesy GW)
The state Ecology Department is talking today about the reddish “bloom” seen in some Puget Sound waters, including ours (here’s yesterday’s WSB report/photos). From their news release (we’ve added an aerial photo they posted to Flickr):

Scientists from the Department of Ecology’s marine monitoring program in a routine overflight of Puget Sound have spotted an extensive reddish bloom in Puget Sound that they suspect is harmless.

It is not the so-called “red tide” that refers to paralytic shellfish poisoning.

The bloom extends from Kingston to Des Moines, and across the Central Basin from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.

Today, they collected water samples they predict will confirm that the bloom is Noctiluca (pronounced “nock-ti-lukah”), a harmless single-celled micro-organism that bioluminesces and occurs normally at this time of year. This kind of plankton does not photosynthesize, but gets its red color from the phytoplankton it eats, a type of nutrition called heterotrophy.

This type of bloom shows up as large, red-brown, even orange “tomato-soup-like” streaks along current and tidal convergence lines, according to Dr. Christopher Krembs of Ecology’s marine monitoring program.

Krembs said the bloom is also accumulating along shores and beaches.

“We are reasonably certain this is Noctiluca, so there is no public health threat,” Krembs said. “As the sun warms the water, the water stratifies, holding the tiny plankton near the surface where they flourish.” …

West Seattle scenes: Can you solve these low-tide mysteries?

Eve sent these two photos taken during Friday’s low-low tide, wondering if anyone knows what they are – the first, she said, looked “like plastic” but clearly wasn’t (we also recall seeing the formation in another low-tide photo we had received but not published); the next, she said, looked almost “like red tide”:

Thanks in advance, beach expert(s) who will solve the mystery!

10:24 PM UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has solved the FIRST mystery in the comment section – second one is still a open case.

West Seattle scenes: Colorful sights revealed at low tide

Thanks to Jim Clark for sharing Thursday low-tide scenes from south of Alki Point. One more low-low tide awaits, today (Friday) at 12:36 pm (-2.6 feet)

Tides won’t be this low again till late October – and then, it’ll be in the post-midnight wee hours, requiring most likely a light and a coat if you insist on exploring!

West Seattle weekend scene: Also from Alki …

Before we have to get back to all the seriousness, as the new week looms, yet more weekend whimsy: Stacy shared the photo, explaining, “Sunny Sunday fun on Alki today.”