West Seattle Whale Watch: Easter orcas

ORIGINAL 9:56 AM REPORT: Just got note and text from Gary — orcas spotted west of the Alki Point lighthouse, heading “slowly south.” Off to look. 10:20 AM: Orca expert Jeff Hogan just called, says they’re off Lowman. 10:28: You need binoculars to see them – they are by Blake Island and heading south fairly fast. 10:46 AM: They went into the far passage off west Vashon, out of view, but keep an eye out later – Jeff says they’re transients. 11:46 AM: And now they’re heading back north, per commenter Jen – who also just called. Watch the comments; we’re heading back down the hill to look again! 1:35 PM: Just back from whale-watching – you definitely need binoculars – they’re out between WS and Blake Island again, and you can look for a very, very small boat, which is virtually next to them. We just watched them for quite some time from a vantage point near the West Beach Condos west and downhill from Marine View Drive’s north end (map); they did not seem to be going in any particular direction. We’re told that what some describe as “playing” – we saw tail-slapping while watching – could mean they’re feeding. Bottom line, they could be visible off our shore for quite a while. Keep an eye on comments here, and/or on our Facebook thread.

15 Replies to "West Seattle Whale Watch: Easter orcas"

  • Jen April 4, 2010 (11:05 am)

    I can see maybe 6-7 of them heading towards NW Vashon. They are moving fast.

  • Jen April 4, 2010 (11:14 am)

    Wow they are moving fast. Now mid-channel between Arroyo Beach area and Vashon.

    • WSB April 4, 2010 (11:32 am)

      So they turned eastward after all?

  • Jen April 4, 2010 (11:41 am)

    They are zig-zagging all over. They are still south of the ferry lane but a bit closer to the W Seattle side of the Sound but still way out there. There is a lot of splashing so even with all the whitecaps I think anyone south of Lincoln Park could spot them.

  • m April 4, 2010 (12:29 pm)

    still south of the ferry lane. really putting on a show!

  • Renee Metty April 4, 2010 (12:30 pm)

    We are watching them from our deck in Fauntlee Hills. We see 4 or 5 of them playing and showing all of their body.

  • carrie April 4, 2010 (12:39 pm)

    So where would I go if I wanted to see them right now???

  • Renee Metty April 4, 2010 (12:53 pm)

    If you want to see them go half way to 3/4’s of the way up Henderson off of Barton. They are hanging out between W.Seattle and Vashon. Look for the small row boat and they are hovering around the boat.

  • I. Ponder April 4, 2010 (1:05 pm)

    And somehow they’ve got a huge orca in a swimming pool at SeaWorld. I hope once people see them in the wild they’ll work to make it illegal to keep them captive. As social as any human family and they cover so much territory so quickly.

  • Sage April 4, 2010 (1:17 pm)

    We are at Lincoln Park and a nice couple let us look through their binoculars and we saw them out towards Vashon, there is a man in s little boat who is surrounded by them! So amazing to see them! We can’t see them with our naked eyes though.

  • sbone April 4, 2010 (2:00 pm)

    I just saw one come fully out of the water! Beautiful!! I’m just south of the Fauntleroy Ferry watching with binoculars, and can see (at least) two in the middle of the Sound, heading north of Blake. The one-man boat is still right there.

  • Trileigh April 4, 2010 (2:17 pm)

    What a glorious way to spend a couple of hours on Easter morning! Saw a little orca as well as perhaps 5 adults. (I do hope the man in the boat is an official whale-watcher; otherwise I’m worried he may be too close to them.) Took some photos – will post later if they’re any good. What an amazing place we get to live in!

  • Mark Ahlness April 4, 2010 (3:12 pm)

    Pretty sure the guy in the boat is/was Mark Sears, probably out collecting scat for research. And Sage, you’re welcome. What an amazing sight, too good to keep to ourselves :) – Mark

  • Sam April 4, 2010 (4:53 pm)

    I just saw a whale jump out of the water and land smack dab on the ferry fine west Seattle to southworth. I wondered how long it would take them to figure out how to hitch a ride. Those whales are smart!!! I wonder if they are pay a swim on fare??

  • Sam April 4, 2010 (5:10 pm)

    I love them whales!!!!

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