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WHALES: Resident orcas off West Seattle

November 27, 2020 12:36 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Photo added, by Kersti Muul – Mom and son in the sunset. J26 Mike and J16 Slick)

12:36 PM: Southern Resident Killer Whales are back in our area! Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch reports J-Pod whales are southbound, visible from Alki right now, closer to the Bainbridge Island side of the Sound, so definitely binoculars are needed. Let us know if you see them!

1:24 PM: Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail says they’re visible off Alki Point, and if you need a point of reference, researcher Mark Sears has his boat out nearby.

2:32 PM: See comments for updates. Reported off Lowman Beach as of a short time ago.

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15 Replies to "WHALES: Resident orcas off West Seattle"

  • Kersti Muul November 27, 2020 (12:56 pm)

    They were milling near Ferry Lanes but are on the move again southbound

  • Kersti Muul November 27, 2020 (1:48 pm)

    Foraging and  directional changes in between Blake and the BainbridgeBig breaches!Research boat leaving due to chop.

  • Elizabeth Sorensen November 27, 2020 (1:52 pm)

    Fauntleroy or Bainbridge ferry lanes? Heading to point Robinson to see if we can catch a glimpse.

  • Donna, The Whale Trail November 27, 2020 (2:07 pm)

    Researchers are with them. Report that J36 (Alki) is close to east side of Sound, visible from Constellation looking west.

  • Philip Johnson November 27, 2020 (2:22 pm)

    Swimming south off lowman beach now. About a dozen of them. 

  • Kersti Muul November 27, 2020 (2:41 pm)

    Just north of Fauntleroy Vashon Ferry Lane East and channel to mid channel spread out 2:35

    • Kyle November 27, 2020 (3:26 pm)

      They are southeast of the southern tip of Blake Island at 3:24. Heading southwest. A research boat is nearby. 

      Now south of Vashon ferry dock at 3:27. Moving southbound fast !

  • IPreferAnimals November 27, 2020 (3:20 pm)

    We headed south to Des Moines Beach Park since it was reported that they were southbound. But we’re probably too far south. Are they still in the Alki area?

    • Donna, The Whale Trail November 27, 2020 (3:43 pm)

      IPreferAnimals – they have passed West Seattle and are still southbound. Likely you haven’t missed them. Look far across the Sound, they will appear closer to Vashon Island. With binoculars you might be able to see their blows. And keep an eye out for big splashes, which might be a breach!

      • IPreferAnimals November 27, 2020 (3:56 pm)

        Thanks for the heads up Donna! Heading to Lincoln Park now, almost there. Hope to see something!

  • Scotty November 27, 2020 (3:59 pm)

    One of the good things about COVID. Always home and ready to go see Orca. 

  • Kersti Muul November 27, 2020 (4:05 pm)

    They just passed me at 98th about 20 minutes ago The J16s were present mother and son J16 and J26 East in channel not over on the Vashon side at all actually. These whales are spread out east to west and south to north. Your best bet is 3tree  point now

  • Kersti Muul November 27, 2020 (6:37 pm)

    FYI for tomorrow, they turned NB before going further South…

  • Sunflower November 27, 2020 (9:03 pm)

    Love the photo, Kersti, beautiful :)

    • Kersti Muul November 27, 2020 (10:32 pm)

      Thank you. So much hearing everyone scream every time Mike surfaced. I taught everyone to count to 9 and he would surface like clockwork. I’m still giggling about it. Fun bunch out today at brace point

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