WHALE-WATCHING: Humpback off West Seattle

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Thanks to Kersti Muul for word that there’s a humpback whale in the area, seen in Elliott Bay off Duwamish Head, a few hundred yards out. (If you’re not sure how to ID a humpback, check out this page from The Whale Trail‘s species guide.) Let us know if you see it!

Robin Sinner May 21, 2020 (2:05 pm)

2pm Alki fin whale? Size smaller than humpback larger than orca hooked dorsal fin

Robin Sinner May 21, 2020 (3:16 pm)

Now that I can look up pictures that was a Minke Whale, not a Fin. 4 others saw it with me near Alki Starbucks around 2pm

Kersti Muul May 21, 2020 (3:42 pm)

I have ID’d this as a humpback. And I have received fluke shots for ID to individual. Fin whales are enormous, much larger than a humpback. Humbacks also have dorsals that vary greatly per individual.

Robin Sinner May 21, 2020 (4:47 pm)

Missed the humpback this morning. The whale we saw at 2pm was smooth skinned with a prominent hooked dorsal fin. My mistake, definitely not a fin. Really looked like a Minke.

Robin May 21, 2020 (3:59 pm)

Thank you for the Whale Trail link. That was a Minke whale, not a fin whale. First time ever sighting for me !

Scott Collins May 21, 2020 (8:43 pm)

I love WSB. Love, love, love it. But I would love it even more if there was an “alert” system that let us know when a whale was in the area. Any chance of doing that? I know there is orcanetwork, but they don’t text either. Just a thought

Petert May 21, 2020 (8:54 pm)

Scott-Orca Network does indeed have a text notification service. I shifted from phone calls to this system last year and am very satisfied with it. Their notification system is, however, temporarily shut down. I’d check their website on occasion to determine when it will be reactivated, and how to register.

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