WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: The sight commonly mistaken for an orca

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Stewart L. for excellent photos of an offshore sight often mistaken for an orca – “sailing” sea lion(s). He photographed these earlier this week, “relaxing in style along the fence line just north of Don Armeni mid-morning. Very close to the shore because of the super high tide, which makes getting photos easier.”

We’ve featured this before, but seldom with this close of a view. As explained by David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network in this WSB report from 2019, sea lions raise their flippers to regulate their body temperature.

But if you do think you’re seeing wildlife in distress, not something normal like this, SSMSN is at 206-905-SEAL

Em December 24, 2021 (3:44 pm)

are these Steller or California sea lions anyone know?

Patrick H December 24, 2021 (5:40 pm)

These are California sea lions. Calis have pointier snouts than Stellers; are generally darker overall, think coffee instead of dry-grass brown; and the males have a more square forehead crest.Stellers are far less common in the Salish Sea too, especially around Elliott Bay, but they are out there.
Lynn Shimamoto December 24, 2021 (6:50 pm)

The ones pictured are California sea lions. They are very dark brown and the older ones have a pronounced bump or sagittal crest on their foreheads. Stellers are a light brown with a rounded skull.

Gay December 24, 2021 (5:34 pm)

Fantastic shots!!! Thank you for sharing.

David Hutchinson December 25, 2021 (11:17 pm)

Steller sea lion in the background compared to the much smaller California sea lions. Photo taken when they were all on one of the tie-up buoys in Elliott Bay.

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