West Seattle Whale Watch: Christmas Eve orca visit

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

11:32 AM: Earlier this morning, Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales texted us about orcas sighted off Maury Island. That was a little too far south for West Seattleites to see, so we didn’t mention it here, but now he says they’re headed back north again – along Colvos Passage, on the west side of Vashon, so they might be visible a bit later off North Vashon or Blake Island. Let us know if you see them!

12:46 PM UPDATE: Commenters on the Orca Network Facebook page have seen them within the last few minutes off Olalla (map) – still a ways before they would emerge back into the open Sound off north Vashon Island.

1:37 PM UPDATE: Orca Network commenters are also talking about a DIFFERENT group heading south from Richmond Beach/Carkeek area – could be a whale of a lot of whales off West Seattle if these groups keep heading their respective ways.

Donna, The Whale Trail December 24, 2012 (2:05 pm)

Very exciting! We’ll be at the Whale Trail sign at Charles Richey Viewpoint, south of the Lighthouse at about 2:30. We’ll have extra binoculars, too. See you down there!

Jim Clark December 24, 2012 (2:27 pm)

Ahh I am once again at work when they come around
Grumble grumble

Gary December 24, 2012 (3:17 pm)

Several heading north off Alki Point on far side of channel.

Orca December 24, 2012 (3:20 pm)

Large group passing going north. Almost to light house now. Quite away out with a small boat trailing. They are difficult to see because of the distance….but they are there.

Orca December 24, 2012 (3:24 pm)

Past Bouy now and seem to be heading west toward Bainbridge at the moment. Now south and east of buoy where Bainbridge ferry turns.

Orca December 24, 2012 (3:30 pm)

Now only two in sight..just south of the rock.
Hopping quite a bit. Getting pretty far north and west for me to track.

Orca December 24, 2012 (3:31 pm)

From my angle they would be straight out from the lighthouse.

Orca December 24, 2012 (3:34 pm)

I can see at least 4 now and one has turned west toward West Seattle…about the middle of Elliot Bay…but still out there quite a bit.

Orca December 24, 2012 (3:47 pm)

I can now just see a differnt pair that are in front of a trailing boat…they are almost past Elliot Bay and way east.
They were pretty spread out and not in compact group.

WSB December 24, 2012 (4:36 pm)

Thanks for the updates! I didn’t spot any myself, but did pass various groups along the shore that might have been having some luck :)

Sorry, comment time is over.