West Seattle whale-watching: Southbound, then northbound, orcas

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Sent by Kersti Muul)

10:23 AM: Just heard from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail that southbound orcas are off Bainbridge Island and headed this way, likely in view from West Seattle shortly. Please let us know if you see them!

11:39 AM: In addition to commenters’ reports, we also got a text of orcas in view from Lowman Beach.

12:41 PM: Updates from Kersti Muul in comments and Donna by phone – the orcas (J Pod) have turned around and are now headed northbound.

2:51 PM: Added a photo sent by Kersti, of her photo taken as a second group of orcas headed NB around 1:30 pm, closer to this side of the Sound.

Kersti muul December 6, 2018 (10:36 am)

They are just at eagle harbor now not visible yet from West Seattle

WSB December 6, 2018 (10:49 am)

Thank you!

Tony December 6, 2018 (11:06 am)

Where r they now?

Kersti December 6, 2018 (11:16 am)

Visible now, they are near Blake island

tim December 6, 2018 (11:21 am)

Just heard on KUOW that they are at Colman Dock.

WSB December 6, 2018 (11:38 am)

KUOW? Not your usual live sighting update source. Might be a different whale or whales – we just got a flurry of reports from Lowman Beach and vicinity.

herongrrrl December 6, 2018 (11:31 am)

Visible with binoculars from Me Kwa Mooks Park, heading south between Manchester and Tillicum Village on Blake Island.

Matt December 6, 2018 (11:39 am)

Spotted them! Just north of Blake island. Viewing from Fauntleroy ferry dock

Jen December 6, 2018 (12:06 pm)

Just spotted the possible bottle nose dolphin that was seen a couple weeks ago, northbound off the Arroyos. Solo animal, moving fast, close to shore. I don’t think it was a Minke. It had a dolphin like dorsal fin.

Kersti muul December 6, 2018 (12:38 pm)

Whales have flipped, now northbound in vashon ferry lanes.Visible from constellation

Kathi December 6, 2018 (12:54 pm)

North of Blake Island heading north. Research boat near them.

Kevin December 6, 2018 (12:57 pm)

Whales now just north of north tip of Vashon..

Kersti Muul December 6, 2018 (3:50 pm)

Photo above is J27 Was traveling with L87 pictured here and j39 in between them 😍

A-Red December 6, 2018 (4:22 pm)

J39 needs to get out of the way and let J27 and L87 make a baby orca. Little privacy, please, J39!

KP December 6, 2018 (5:47 pm)

I’m curious about the single porpoise or dolphin. I’ve seen it a lot lately, or, I’m presuming it’s the same animal. Always single and slowing fishing coming up for air on a very regular cadence. Hanging out in and around Fauntleroy cove.

annika December 6, 2018 (6:01 pm)

A great place to learn the names of the beloved southern residents:
https://whalemuseum.org/collections/meet-the-whales
Thank you Kersti and WSB for all the updates (and photos)!

Kersti Muul December 6, 2018 (8:08 pm)

A-red, both L87 and J27 are adult males. J39 is the little brother of J27..I assure you he wasn’t impeding any reproduction attempts between the two..He’s simply trying to learn from his big brother and adopted big brother..

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