UPDATE: Orcas off Alki!

| West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Added: Photo posted in comments by James Riley)

10:27 AM: During The Whale Trail‘s event Tuesday night (our report is still in progress), local researcher Mark Sears predicted orcas would be back in this area “any day now.” Alki Point resident Gary Jones, who has shared photos here many times over the years, reports a sudden sighting this past hour – and after a period of activity including breaches, they vanished again. They were “moving slowly southbound” and close to this side at the time. If you see them pop up anywhere, let us know!

10:46 AM: Just got a text that they are in view off Alki Beach, in the Starbucks vicinity (Alki/61st).

11:02 AM: Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales confirms orcas off Alki – he has them in view off 63rd/Alki. They’re transient orcas, not southern residents, adds Kersti Muul.

James Riley December 12, 2019 (12:45 pm)

Pete R December 12, 2019 (1:22 pm)

Great shot! Thanks for sharing!
A-Red December 12, 2019 (4:17 pm)

James Riley!? You were a fan-favorite when you played for the Sounders. You’re a good photographer too, apparently.

Kersti muul December 12, 2019 (12:58 pm)

Adult bulll with group.They were on a kill on the lip of Elliott Bay for a very long time. was a lot of sharing going on then a celebration ensued after they finished.. seagulls were celebrating too 😝

Kersti muul December 12, 2019 (1:01 pm)

T37bPossibly traveling with the 99s as well

vanessa December 12, 2019 (1:55 pm)

BLESS THEM ALL !

Zmmr December 12, 2019 (2:10 pm)

Yea..Go ORCAS EAT ALL YOU WANT eat all the seals,sea lions,crows and Seagulls.

Railroaded December 12, 2019 (3:33 pm)

the off-leash dogs on the public beaches are fair game, also.
- Jim December 12, 2019 (9:56 pm)
  
  Likewise with the tailgaters wanting to drive 40 mph down Alki. And people who don’t tip at restaurants. And drivers who don’t stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Orcas could solve so many of problems caused by anti-social humans. I’m in favor.

anonyme December 13, 2019 (6:10 am)

Beautiful shot; you can feel the exuberance. I still have a fantasy that orca will take over the new water world once humans are extinct. A more deserving species, for sure. Unfortunately, many, many more species will succumb due to human action before we do. An aside: for those who think shooting sea lions is a good way to preserve salmon for resident orca, it should be noted that sea lions are food for other, transient orca – so an initially weak argument becomes even weaker.

Kersti Muul December 13, 2019 (11:52 am)

Exactly.Their visit to Elliott Bay yesterday was all about the adult male California sea lions migrating through.I’d much rather they be a meal than shot in the head.

kmc December 13, 2019 (7:36 pm)

Well said.

Susan Allen December 13, 2019 (9:08 pm)

So glad Orca are onto seal occupation of the entryways to the Hiram Chittenden locks and to the fragile fish ladders beyond.Transient Orca & Salish Sea’s understandings of cooperatively maintaining a balance among one another for the greater good could teach us a quick lesson on humanity.#supportsalishseaorca

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