WHALES: Orcas in view off West Seattle again (and the sea lions who watched them)

| West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

2:27 PM: Orcas are in the area again! The photo is from Elton, taken from Alki, and arrived in the WSB inbox just as we got a text from Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch that the whales were in the area – she says they are now southbound off Alki Point. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail just called with the news too. Let us know if you see them!

2:47 PM: These orcas are moving fast – Kersti says they’ve already passed Me-Kwa-Mooks/Emma Schmitz Overlook (4500 block of Beach Drive SW), still southbound.

3:08 PM: Now approaching Vashon, per comment/text updates. (Thanks again!)

8:07 PM: David Hutchinson sends this photo:

These visitors were transient orcas (Bigg’s Killer Whales), not the Southern Residents. The big difference: Transients eat other marine mammals, not just fish. David also sent this photo of sea lions staying, warily, close to shore:

They were seen off Constellation Park, south of Alki Point.

Nancy Stillger October 30, 2020 (2:30 pm)

Yes! Saw them going southbound around Alki point about 10 minutes ago! Looked like at least 4?

Beth October 30, 2020 (2:49 pm)

Just saw them heading south, at north tip of Vashon closer to the West Seattle side.

sbch October 30, 2020 (3:07 pm)

Midway down Blake Island on main channel. The red striped cabin cruiser is way too close to the whales.The small speed boat is keeping the proper distance.

sbch October 30, 2020 (3:16 pm)

Looks like four or five based upon the blows. Approaching north end of Vashon now.

sbch October 30, 2020 (3:23 pm)

Heading a bit northwest now, toward Southworth. Lots of blows!

Michael C SNYDER October 30, 2020 (4:15 pm)

Are the orcas still near south worth? I don’t see any action here from Seahurst, no boats following, etc…

WSB October 30, 2020 (4:41 pm)

We haven’t had any further updates.
- Kersti Muul October 30, 2020 (5:26 pm)
  
  They are heading into rich passage now

Reacher October 30, 2020 (5:08 pm)

We saw 5 sea lions at Alki racing away. Then we saw the Orcas! Followed the Orcas over to Constellation. After about an hour, the sea lions were still hiding out. When we left, we saw a sea lion on the current coming to the light house, it was dead. It may wash up to the beach with high tide.

David Hutchinson October 30, 2020 (11:31 pm)

As a member of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Seal Sitters responds to and documents all marine mammals, alive or dead, that show up on West Seattle beaches. If you spot this sea lion carcass on a local beach, please notify our Hotline at 206-905-7325.