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YOU CAN HELP: Habitat helpers sought Saturday at Shoreline Street End #7
August 9, 2023 9:12 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Habitat helpers sought Saturday at Shoreline Street End #7
 |   How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Right next to Constellation Park/Charles Richey Viewpoint is a bit of public land that’s actually separate – known as Shoreline Street End #7, technically the end of SW Spokane Street. Volunteers are invited to join in restoration work there this Saturday morning – here’s the invitation:

A community effort supported by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Friends of Street Ends to restore approximately 11,000 square feet of right-of-way for shoreline access, views, and habitat: The project is located at Shoreline Street End #7, SW Spokane St, in West Seattle (3555R Beach Dr SW). The site is one of 141 Shoreline Street Ends designated by Seattle City Council.

Goals
• Improve and maintain shoreline access and views
• Enhance shoreline habitat
• Build partnerships and encourage stewardship through community partners

Work party will focus on removing invasive plants, spreading mulch, installing new plantings

Work Party Dates
August 12th, 2023 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Spokane St SW

To RSVP for Work Part!es:
seattle.gov/trees/events.html
206-615-1668 | TreeAmbassador@seattle.gov

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WEST SEATTLE SCENES: From pink-gold sunset to pink-salmon fishing to Blue Angels
August 4, 2023 11:16 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SCENES: From pink-gold sunset to pink-salmon fishing to Blue Angels
 |   Blue Angels | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Three West Seattle scenes from August’s first Friday:

Above, James Bratsanos captured the colors of tonight’s sunset. … Below is Steve Pumphrey‘s photo of salmon seekers lined up along the north side of Point Williams at Lincoln Park:

And below, an image from today’s Blue Angels flight – Rainer Klett photographed a Space Needle flyby from Alki:

Saturday’s forecast has some clouds – maybe even a chance of an afternoon shower.

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FOLLOWUP: After Paddle to Muckleshoot landing on Alki, canoes departing
July 31, 2023 1:57 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: After Paddle to Muckleshoot landing on Alki, canoes departing
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

While the canoe families who arrived at Alki on the Journey to Muckleshoot have moved on to the host tribe’s community center for a week of around-the-clock protocol, most if not all of the canoes are heading home. Alki photographer David Hutchinson sent these three images, reporting, “When I checked around 11:30 AM today, there were still 34 tribal canoes on Alki Beach. They were in the process of leaving, with some being carried down the beach to the water and others being loaded onto boat trailers along Alki Ave.”

Some are/were paddled to Don Armeni Boat Ramp to be placed onto trailers there, as shown in one photo from our Sunday coverage.

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SUNDAY: Paddle to Muckleshoot to bring Alki Beach landing for dozens of Indigenous canoe families
July 29, 2023 7:56 pm
|    Comments Off on SUNDAY: Paddle to Muckleshoot to bring Alki Beach landing for dozens of Indigenous canoe families
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Alki landing during 2018 Canoe Journey)

As reported here last Sunday, the first Canoe Journey since pre-pandemic will see dozens of Indigenous canoe families landing at Alki Beach tomorrow. This year, the Muckleshoot Tribe is hosting the weeklong gathering that will follow the landing. Some have asked us today what time the ~100 canoe families are expected to start arriving. The only time we’ve seen is 11 am; we note on the Paddle to Muckleshoot website that they’re planning a YouTube live stream during the landing, with the feed scheduled to go live starting at 10:30 am. The canoe families are being hosted by the Suquamish Tribe (in North Kitsap) tonight, after arriving there Friday, and will paddle to Alki from there; the schedule on the Suquamish website says they’re expecting the canoe families to depart at 9:30 am and land at Alki around noon. As for what happens once they’re here, this story from the Muckleshoot newspaper explains that shuttle buses will take them to the host tribe’s community center in Auburn, where a week of protocol – cultural sharing – will follow, starting Monday morning. Many of the participating canae families are listed here. This year’s Canoe Journey theme is “Honoring Our Warriors Past & Present.” It’s the first time the Muckleshoot Tribe has hosted in more than 15 years, though they’ve hosted the Alki stop on other Canoe Journeys since then.

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SUMMER: More canoes on Alki this weekend
July 24, 2023 2:25 pm
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 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB file photo from past Da Grind)

We reported yesterday on the plan for next Sunday’s Alki arrival of dozens of Indigenous canoe families during the Paddle to Muckleshoot, first tribal Canoe Journey since pre-pandemic. One day earlier – next Saturday (July 29th) – a different canoe event will take over Alki: The Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club-hosted annual Da Grind races. Canoe clubs come from around the region to participate in a day of racing that is scheduled to start around 9 am Saturday and wrap up in time for a 3:30-ish awards ceremony.

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CANOE JOURNEY: Paddle to Muckleshoot this week, landing next weekend on Alki
July 23, 2023 4:32 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo, July 2019)

That was the scene at Alki Beach in July 2019, the last year that tribes from around the region participated in a Canoe Journey. This year, the tradition has resumed, and the journey is ending on West Seattle shores because the Muckleshoot Tribe is this year’s host tribe. Canoe families are scheduled to arrive at Alki one week from today (Sunday, July 30th), according to the Paddle to Muckleshoot website. Participants will proceed from here by land to the Muckleshoot Community Center for a weeklong event. The Muckleshoot has a canoe family participating as well, with their journey starting today, as noted here. In all, 60 canoe families – including the Duwamish – are listed as participating.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: Seafair Pirates conquer Alki
July 8, 2023 5:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)

We may not have year-round royals like Charles, Camilla, and company, but Seattle does have royalty once a year … during Seafair. This year’s King Neptune, radio personality Bender, tried to defend Alki Beach from the Seafair Pirates this afternoon … but somehow, as happens every year, they managed to storm the beach anyway. At about 1:10 pm, in a haze of cannon smoke, they arrived at Alki aboard the Global vessel Prudhoe Bay:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

The Pirates disembarked near Alki Bathhouse, with hundreds there to watch – and snap photos:

After coming ashore, they were found to be bearing gifts – not plundered treasure, but instead, stickers for kids:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

The Pirates made their way through the curious crowd, up to where their land-going vessel Moby Duck awaited, as did a ceremony in which they seized – OK, were presented – the key to the county/city, held by County Executive (and lifelong West Seattleite) Dow Constantine:

Other royalty participating in the ceremony included Miss Seafair, Savannah Parker, who took a moment to pose with King Neptune:

As for the Pirates, it was eventually “all aboard” the Moby Duck, which they’ll sail back into West Seattle two weeks from today for the WS Grand Parade.

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

The parade’s at 11 am Saturday, July 22, starting from California/Lander in The Admiral District and heading southbound on California to The Junction, preceded by the Float Dodger 5K at 9:30 am.

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SATURDAY: What to know about Seafair Pirates Landing 2023
July 6, 2023 6:36 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from last year)

West Seattle’s next big summer event will bring a crowd to Alki Beach on Saturday (July 8th) for the Seafair Pirates’ Landing. We’ve checked with a spokespirate to get details. Like last year – unlike pre-pandemic years – this will be “just” a landing, not a daylong festival. They’re aiming to arrive around 1 pm, but we’re warned it could be a little earlier, or later. As usual, you’ll hear offshore cannon fire as they approach. On the beach, look for the taped-off area by Alki Bathhouse for the path they’re expected to follow on arrival. On the street, you’ll see their legendary parade boat, the Moby Duck; their spokespirate says they’re also planning to visit Christo’s on Alki, El Chupacabra, and the Benbow Room while in West Seattle.

P.S. Two weeks after the landing, you are invited to breakfast with the Pirates at Brookdale Admiral Heights – 8:30 am Saturday, July 22nd, before the West Seattle Grand Parade – details in our calendar listing.

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WEST SEATTLE LOW TIDE: Four sights from the shore
July 5, 2023 11:47 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Rosalie Miller for sharing four wildlife views from today’s low-low tide. Above, a Blood Star. Below, a Graceful Decorator Crab:

Next, a Lined Chiton:

And a Stiff-footed Sea Cucumber:

Rosalie says she saw them all on Alki today. Tomorrow (Thursday) you have one more chance at a low-low tide, out to -3.0 feet at about quarter till 2 pm; Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out again too.

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VIDEO: Beach battle during low-low tide on West Seattle shore
July 1, 2023 10:41 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

As noted here two days ago, another stretch of low-low tides has begun. Misti was out during today’s low-low tide and shares the amazing video you can see above – describing it as “My mic drop achievement, catching a nudibranch fight on a video. Think mama was protecting her eggs, which are the cluster of white spots you see.” Misti saw these near the Fauntleroy ferry dock, and shared other low-tide wildlife images on Twitter, which has had some turmoil today, so apologies if you can’t see it – here’s another eye-catching image, identified by Misti as a sea pen:

Tomorrow’s low-low tide is -3.2 feet at 10:38 am; Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be out too (see when and where here).

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HOLIDAY WEEKEND: This summer’s lowest low tide is almost here
June 29, 2023 2:08 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Monterey Dorid sea slug, photographed during recent low tide by Rosalie Miller)

If you’re staying home for the extended holiday weekend, you might factor beach walks into your staycation. The next round of low-low tides is almost here. Saturday through Thursday will be prime dates for beach exploration. On Saturday, the tide will be out to -2.4 feet at 9:54 am; on Sunday, -3.2 feet at 10:38 am; on Monday, -3.8 feet at 11:24 am; on Tuesday (the Fourth of July), -4.0 feet at 12:11 pm (this summer’s lowest low tide); on Wednesday, -3.8 feet at 12:59 pm; and next Thursday (July 6th), -3.0 feet at 1:48 pm. Here’s the full chart. If you want expert guidance, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) Sunday through Thursday – see the schedule here.

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REMINDER: Don’t wade or swim in the Sound at Lincoln Park
June 28, 2023 3:58 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Health | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

3:58 PM: A reader suggested a reminder is in order that a swimming advisory is still in effect for the beach at Lincoln Park. We first reported last Friday that health authorities were warning of elevated bacteria levels and advising people to avoid contact with the water there. You can check its status via this map.

7:10 PM: As a commenter notes, Lincoln Park’s status has vanished from the state’s infomap in the hours since we published this. It has not been replaced by an “all clear” type of symbol, so we can’t assume that this means it’s OK now. We will check with state and county health/environmental authorities in the morning.

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ALSO AT LINCOLN PARK: Don’t go into the non-pool water
June 23, 2023 3:40 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Health | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

While the pools at Lincoln Park are about to open, you’re going to want to stay out of the water at the beach until further notice. Seattle Parks notes that county and state agencies advise avoiding contact with the water at Lincoln Park because of elevated bacteria levels. This isn’t a beach closure but rather an advisory.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE; Seal Sitters’ reminder for you as pupping season begins
June 18, 2023 10:41 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

If you’re headed to the beach for today’s low tide, or any other time soon, be extra-watchful – harbor-seal pupping season is starting. Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network has this reminder:

Pupping season in our part of Puget Sound runs from June – September. Over the next months, beach walkers in West Seattle will very likely come across vulnerable Harbor Seal pups on both our public and private beaches. These young marine mammals are protected by federal law. If you come across a seal pup using the beach, please keep back, keep people and pets away, and call the Seal Sitters’ Hotline at 206-905-7325.

Seal Sitters is part of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Our territory is West Seattle, from Brace Point through the Duwamish River including Harbor Island and the East Waterway. We are responsible for responding to all marine mammals, alive or dead, that end up on the beaches within that area. (The official NOAA stranding map, which shows the coverage areas and the contact information for the various groups that respond to marine mammals on the beaches of Puget Sound, is viewable at this link – click on “Network Maps.”)

If you can, add Seal Sitters’ hotline to your phone – if you don’t, it’s easy to remember: 206-905-SEAL.

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LOW-LOW TIDE: West Seattle Sunday sights
June 4, 2023 7:13 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

7:13 PM: The remains of old pilings are part of what comes into view when low-low tides arrive on local shores. The photo above is from Theresa Arbow-O’Connor. Today’s low-low tide was out to 3.3 feet; Brandy DeWeese also sent photos, showing some of the sealife revealed by the receded tide under and near the Fauntleroy ferry dock:

The low-low tide will be out even further the next two days – -3.7 feet both days, at 12:26 pm Monday, and at 1:13 pm Tuesday. Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out both days too – 10:30 am-2:30 pm Monday, 11 am-3 pm Tuesday, at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) both days.

ADDED 9:22 PM: Curry Gibson sent this pic of kelp crabs:

ADDED 11:45 PM: Thanks to SF for this montage:

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SHORE SIGHTS: New brownish bloom; low-low tide on the way
June 2, 2023 10:21 pm
|    Comments Off on SHORE SIGHTS: New brownish bloom; low-low tide on the way
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle shore sights to mention:

NEW BROWNISH BLOOM: A week ago, the reddish-orange Noctiluca bloom startled water-watchers along the West Seattle shore. Today, we got questions about a brownish-green bloom, and this photo from Manuel:

Yes, it looks like a spill. But it’s not, as explained here. Biologists say these blooms are largely nontoxic – but swallowing or inhaling them isn’t recommended.

LOW-LOW TIDE: The next round of low-low tides is on the way. Saturday at 11:02 am, it’ll be out to -2.6 feet, and then for the next four days, the lowest tides will be out past -3 feet – here’s the chart. If you head out on the beach and tread lightly, you might see sights like the ones Rosalie Miller photographed during the last round of low-low tides:

That’s an urchin with a painted anemone and sea star. If you want help identifying what you’re seeing, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) during the lowest tides the next five days, starting with 9:30 am-12:30 pm tomorrow – see the full schedule here.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Fire rings return to Alki Beach
May 24, 2023 1:30 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo. Seattle Parks is bringing fire rings back to Alki Beach today, just before the official start of summer season. Saturday is the first day fires will be allowed, according to Parks’ recent early-closure announcement. (For a recap of beach-fire rules, go here.)

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Seeing red-orange water at West Seattle beaches? Here’s what’s happening
May 23, 2023 11:42 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

That photo texted from The Arroyos in southwesternmost West Seattle is first word we got today of that alarming-looking but relatively common phenomenon. It’s not “red tide” but rather a bloom of microorganisms called Noctiluca – explained here by the state Ecology Department, which says that “sunshine, nutrients, and warm temperatures contribute to large seasonal blooms.” Experts say it’s not toxic but it is a sign of environmental imbalance, as noted here.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Beware of baby crabs
May 12, 2023 8:27 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Beware of baby crabs
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

If you’re going to the beach this weekend – watch out for tiny, spiny larval crabs. We’ve heard from two readers today reporting they’re back on Alki, and one reported a painful encounter. The other, Kaitlin, emailed to say:

As people hit the beach this weekend, just wanted to let neighbors know that there are large bands of crab larvae washed up on the beach. These spiny little friends are uncomfortable to walk on, so make sure to bring water shoes.

They’re called zoae and we published this reader report about them last year. That report noted, “It feels like glass or an itchy pinch” if you encounter them with bare hands/feet (etc.). This state Ecology Department page has more about them. Kaitlin reports seeing them just east of Alki Bathhouse.

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WEST SEATTLE BEACHES: Low-low tide time
May 7, 2023 2:21 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

That’s what we saw at Lincoln Park this afternoon, right as the low tide was receding to -2.6 feet before 1 pm. Saturday, it was almost that low, with a Seattle Parks tidepooling event at Charles Richey Viewpoint/Constellation Park (as featured in our daily list) – Ann Anderson sent photos and a recap:

Over 60 people turned out Saturday at Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint’s Marine Reserve during a super low (-2.1) tide, to admire intertidal sea life along with Parks Dept staff and volunteers. A wide array of marine flora and fauna normally surrounded by 6-10 feet of water, was left exposed for viewing both on the beach and in-between the jetty rocks. Giovannina Souers, Environmental Education Program Supervisor at Camp Long (foreground in blue jacket), was helping people ID animals, answering a barrage of questions, and simultaneously helping to train new Urban Naturalists about tidepool life for the Parks Dept. Also on hand for the event were countless sea stars, as were Glaucous-winged Gulls who showed up to eat them for lunch.

If you can get out to a beach either or both of the next two afternoons, you can see afternoon low tides that will be even further out – -2.8 feet at 1:30 pm Monday, -2.7 feet at 2:18 pm Tuesday (here’s the chart). And the low tides will be even more impressive later in the spring/summer, including a -4.0 on the 4th of July.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Busy night at the beach
April 28, 2023 8:20 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That was the scene on Alki, looking east from just past the Bathhouse, not long before sunset. First almost-summer night of the year; the restaurants were hopping, too. Tomorrow will likely be the same, with the temp due back in the 70s, before a cloudy cooldown on Sunday.

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See what volunteer divers brought up from West Seattle waters
April 16, 2023 1:57 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Those floats off Seacrest were not marking a routine Sunday dive. Today, 20 divers were signed up for an underwater cleanup led by Seattle Dive Tours and SR3. As of our visit to the dock just before noon, they had already hauled up 316 pounds of debris – and that weight doesn’t count perhaps the biggest item, a scooter:

The running total did include a wide variety of smaller items, even a video monitor:

Not available for photography: Divers also found a gun. It had been turned over to Seattle Police by the time we stopped by to check on the cleanup, which should be wrapping up about now. Scott Flaherty from Seattle Dive Tours – which is based in Admiral – says this is the first time they were able to plan this cleanup since 2019 – the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s weekend break made it possible. Along with the diving volunteers, he said more than three dozen people were signed up to clean up on shore, including Girl Scouts!

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Low tide at Lincoln Park
April 9, 2023 5:41 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

Thanks to Brandy DeWeese for sharing photos of wildlife seen during low tide this afternoon at Lincoln Park. We’re not in a super-low-tide phase, but low enough to make shore exploration worthwhile.

The tide was out to -1.2 feet this afternoon and will be lower, -1.4 feet, at 2:39 pm tomorrow.

Brandy noted that the beach was relatively deserted on this drippy afternoon.

If you’re interested in guided exploration, Seattle Parks has a guided beach exploration for the April 22 low tide (register here), and Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists start their season in early June.

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