West Seattle wildlife: Face-to-face with a bald eagle
So many eagle sightings – and yet, each sighting, each photo, brings something new to notice. From photographer/writer Trileigh Tucker, the photo above – taken this morning – and her explanation:
Lots of eagle activity in Lincoln Park these days: calling back and forth, challenging to and by juvenile eagles, the husband eagle bringing food to impress his wife. Pretty exciting times as the courtship season ramps up!
Trileigh keeps a website with more pictures/words about some of her wildlife sightings, and says it includes a new update on the snowy owls that have been delighting birdwatchers in Western Washington (West Seattle included – remember this November photo?).
West Seattle Crime Watch followups: Trailer, SUV both found
Updates tonight on two recent theft reports: A trailer and SUV reported stolen in separate West Seattle incidents have both been found. First – it’s been a month since Ron reported his cargo trailer taken from Gatewood; this past Thursday, he picked it up from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office after getting word it was found in Arlington, “in nearly the same shape as I remember,” and that arrests were made. He says he was told the suspects have a connection to Gatewood, and might be responsible for more than this theft.
Last Thursday was also when an SUV was stolen near Delridge/Holden; Shane told us about it on Friday, noting it belonged to a friend who is an amateur-radio operator and “gives a lot to the community.” The next morning, as he wrote in comments, word came from SPD that it had been found – with the electronics still in it, and only minor damage.
Seal Sitters volunteer training next Saturday, and a sad reminder of why the mission matters
(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Being a Seal Sitters volunteer can have its joyful moments – in the photo above, without binoculars, are volunteers Eilene and David Hutchinson, helping people see and learn about marine mammals. But there are also the sorrows – Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey told us today about a way-too-thin pup that died, though they tried to rescue him. The full story’s on Blubberblog, including a reminder that protecting pups on beaches is vital, as they need to be able to rest up between food runs. The protection requires a sizable volunteer corps, and if you would like to be part of it, this Saturday, you are invited to a training session, 10 am till about 12:30 pm, at Camp Long (5200 35th SW).
This will be a special session for those wanting to respond to and protect marine mammals on the beaches of West Seattle and along the Duwamish River.
A multi-media presentation by SS lead investigator Robin Lindsey will illustrate the unique challenges of protecting seals and marine mammals in an urban environment, as well as highlighting our educational work in the community. Zoologist and SS education and science advisor Buzz Shaw will discuss the biology and behavior of seals and other pinnipeds of Puget Sound. A companion followup “on-the-beach” training will be scheduled in the weeks to come. Space permitting, we encourage current volunteers to feel free to come on the 3rd for a “tune-up.”
There will be no training sessions during the summer or height of pupping season (mid-August thru October) due to time and staff constraints. However, there will be a new volunteer training in late May if you can’t make this date. Please contact us if you have any questions. Please RSVP as seating is limited to 60. We look forward to seeing you there!
You can do that by e-mailing sealsitters (at) me (dot) com.
West Seattle weekend scene: Pancake breakfast raises $2,300
Thanks to Kevin McClintic for that photo from the “Nickelsville” encampment’s pancake-breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene. The fundraising total is in: $1,800 plus a $500 pledge, wrote Peggy Hotes on Facebook, saying about 20 people from the encampment pitched in to make it happen. She also writes that’s two-thirds of their monthly expenses. If you’re interested in helping, ongoing requests for encampment needs are often posted by WSB Forum members who volunteer there.
The encampment has now been at a city-owned site in Highland Park for more than nine months, in a sort of legal limbo – it didn’t ask permission, but the city has said it won’t evict them, nor will it provide utility hookups. The Highland Park Action Committee community council has been pressing the city to take a stand one way or the other, with Nickelsville on the agenda for its last several meetings (including presentations by camp residents); HPAC’s next meeting is this Wednesday, 7 pm, at Highland Park Improvement Club HQ (12th/Holden).
Happening today: West Seattle Farmers’ Market and more
We missed today’s window for the daily events preview – you can always check the WSB West Seattle Events calendar on the rare occasions we skip a daily list – but just back from the West Seattle Farmers’ Market and vicinity. Eric Freeman is playing on the west side of the market today; while we photographed him, a man came up and informed us that he’s “the best busker in West Seattle.” As always, the market otherwise is brimming with everything – literally) from soup to nuts; we came home with a giant purple cabbage, $3 any size, from Alm Hill Gardens in the southwest corner, where they’re also selling tulips:
As always, the Farmers’ Market is open till 2. Nearby, it’s the second Sunday at California/Edmunds for a new food truck operated by two West Seattleites, Erik Gust and David Rodriguez, Contigo, which offers “modern Mexican”:
The Contigo owners’ announcement also mentioned that their food is gluten-free.
Seen from West Seattle: 2 hurt in Bainbridge Island fire
(Photo by Danny McMillin)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of that startling sight – a fire on Bainbridge Island, clearly visible from west-facing West Seattle this morning. According to the Kitsap Sun, the fire was in the 12000 block of Country Club Road (map), and one person was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.
8:16 AM UPDATE: KING 5 Morning News just talked live (by phone) with Bainbridge’s fire chief, who says a Seattle fireboat responded to the scene. The fire is under control, he said; five people were in the “large 2-story waterfront home,” all got themselves out, and one, as mentioned, was airlifted. The fire chief told KING 5 that one of the 20 firefighters who responded suffered a minor burn injury. Too soon to say what caused the fire.
(Photo by Julie Williams)
9:04 AM: Adding two more photos – above, Julie’s view from Wing Point, looking south; below, DLC in West Seattle, with a wider view from this side of the Sound.
(Photo by DLC)
This is an area of spectacular multi-million-dollar waterfront homes; we found one listed online in a different block (we do NOT know the exact address of the home involved in this morning’s fire) for more than $8 million.
9:31 AM UPDATE: New information just added to the Kitsap Sun story – the house is a century-old vacation home and was to be the scene of a wedding later this year; the engaged couple were among those who escaped the fire.
| Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Might be an icy morning