West Seattle whale-watching: Orcas spotted, northbound

Rick sent photos after seeing what looked like four orcas heading northbound past Brace Point about 9:15 this morning – that’s the wide shot, with the Vashon ferry dock in the background; here’s a closer view:

There’ve been multiple South Sound sightings of orcas lately, as far south as the Olympia area; according to this Friday story from The Olympian, the ones seen there were “transients,” not belonging to the three orca pods considered “Southern Residents” usually seen around Puget Sound. 3:55 PM P.S. – We are remiss not to mention the Orca Network EVERY time we have an orca story – you can report sightings through their website, where you also can subscribe to their daily e-mail with a roundup of regional sightings and other whale-related news – go to orcanetwork.org. 9:36 PM UPDATE: Rick did report the sighting to the Orca Network, and got a note back saying his sighting helps them confirm that five orcas seen off South Whidbey later in the day were indeed the “transients” that had been hanging out in the Olympia area.

4 Replies to "West Seattle whale-watching: Orcas spotted, northbound"

  • WS Dog Lover September 6, 2009 (3:39 pm)

    Wow – Weeeee! Love when Orcas make there way around here!

  • Michael J Swassing September 7, 2009 (11:44 am)

    The marine wildlife coverage is my favorite thing about WSB.

  • WSB September 7, 2009 (11:51 am)

    Thanks – send us your sightings!!!! Leaping fish, spyhopping seals, love ’em all. In long-ago times (when we first moved to West Seattle and I worked swing shift as a newscast producer, before homeownership and parenthood), I spent hours of free time in the mornings just sitting along the Beach Drive or Alki shores watching the water … seemed like sightings were more frequent then (has anyone seen California sea lions “rafting” in Elliott Bay lately?) or maybe it was just that I spent more time looking … TR

  • Susan Berta, Orca Network September 8, 2009 (6:10 pm)

    A late breaking update – this morning this pod was again seen in Puget Sound – off Shilshole at 10 am heading south, and again at 1:50 pm, still heading south. They have been confirmed as Transient orcas and ID’d as the T137s, with T36A & her offspring T36A1 – they must be heading back down to So. Puget Sound for more of that seal buffet!

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