ORCAS: Whales off West Seattle again!

11:40 AM: Just got a call from Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch – orcas are heading for West Seattle waters again, currently southbound in the Bainbridge Island ferry lanes. Let us know if you see them!

12:05 PM: Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales says they’re visible off Alki Point.

12:17 PM: Saw them! From north Emma Schmitz Overlook, with binoculars.

1:51 PN: Just seen off The Arroyos, per commenter Desertdweller, still southbound.

24 Replies to "ORCAS: Whales off West Seattle again!"

  • Kersti Muul October 18, 2020 (11:49 am)

    All spread.now from restoration point and leaders heading towards Blake, near cargo ship

  • Kersti Muul October 18, 2020 (12:02 pm)

    East in channel! Visibility excellent!Passing constellation at a good clip SB

  • aRF October 18, 2020 (12:19 pm)

    A 23 meter passenger vessel, the Glacier Spirit, is shadowing them. 

    • beanie October 18, 2020 (1:02 pm)

      Quite closely too!They are now east of Lincoln Park as of 1:00

  • Erin October 18, 2020 (12:38 pm)

    Kersti – how do u always know when they are passing by?  Do u get notified from a website? Thx!

    • Kersti October 18, 2020 (8:37 pm)

      I have multiple avenues that I get information from. Today I was out riding bikes lol…it was a fast ride home to get the camera. My thighs are mad.Yesterday I got a message from my buddy who operates the lower bridge. Sometimes the notification comes from the ferry, sometimes my friends on the dock projects, sometimes. NOAA… It all depends on the day really!

    • Kersti muul October 18, 2020 (8:42 pm)

      I have also started  with a friend, a real-time wildlife sightings network for central and south sound. Salish Wildlife Watch. https://www.facebook.com/Salish-Wildlife-Watch-105572621238948

  • Sunflower October 18, 2020 (12:56 pm)

    Thanks for the updates! Have they made it as far south as the Fauntleroy ferry run area? And anyone get any photos?

    • Kersti Muul October 18, 2020 (4:45 pm)

      • Sunflower October 18, 2020 (6:58 pm)

        Thanks KM!

        I got a glimpse of them from afar today! Appreciate the updates you share :)

        • Kersti October 18, 2020 (8:34 pm)

          My pleasure! Just love people getting out with as much notice as possible. It’s so sad to miss them when they are here because it isn’t that often. Especially now with the two little babies

  • Mark erskine October 18, 2020 (1:00 pm)

    Seen from above Thistle Steps!

  • Kersti October 18, 2020 (1:40 pm)
  • Desertdweller October 18, 2020 (1:50 pm)

    Orcas just passed through the Arroyos and we’re heading south!

    • WSB October 18, 2020 (1:51 pm)

      Thanks for the update! We were only able to watch from Emma Schmitz for a little while so totally lost track.

  • Scott Sunde October 18, 2020 (2:09 pm)

    We saw them for several minutes between Blake and Vashon. One — looked like an adolescent — breached several times. Just a teen showing off. Are these resident or transient orcas?

    • Michael C SNYDER October 18, 2020 (2:37 pm)

      What time was this?

      • scott sunde October 18, 2020 (3:10 pm)

        after 12:30 p.m., I think

    • Kersti October 18, 2020 (8:38 pm)

      this was some of Jpod, so, residents

  • Kersti Muul October 18, 2020 (2:27 pm)

    This is Jpod. I have confirmed by my photos.They are on a good trajectory now to point Robinson Vashon where they always give an excellent viewing as they pass super close too shore

  • Mari October 18, 2020 (4:15 pm)

    Please let us know if/when you see them returning NB! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ & where, thanks๐Ÿ’œ

  • Michael C SNYDER October 18, 2020 (4:53 pm)

    The last point point Roberts headed south. Glorious tail slapping! About 4pm

  • Liz Hernandez October 18, 2020 (5:14 pm)

    We are in the Arroyos, and watched them from about 1:25pm until about 2:40 pm, could not believe how long they hung out moving back and forth mid Vashon Island.  They were tail slapping, spy hopping, and breaching.  lots of back and forth before finally moving on towards Pt Robinson Light House.  We did not get pictures, they were too far out.  But saw them really well from our balcony with a telescope.  It was amazing, magical, i still have goosebumps, 

    • Kersti October 18, 2020 (8:33 pm)

      excellent <3 they spent over an hour in Tramp harbor, kind of unusual. 

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