Thanks to Michael Ostrogorsky for the photos of a humpback whale seen off Alki this afternoon.
Possibly the same one Kersti Muul says is in view off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW) right now. Let us know if you see it!
Thanks to Michael Ostrogorsky for the photos of a humpback whale seen off Alki this afternoon.
Possibly the same one Kersti Muul says is in view off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW) right now. Let us know if you see it!
You can sign up for my whale and wildlife text alerts here:(I cover central to south sound; golden gardens to Tacoma)Sightings only, no chatting or ‘liking’ comments. It’s used for research also and I don’t want notifications going off constantly. You have a mute option if the sighting isn’t of interest to you, or whale/s have already passed by you. https://chat.whatsapp.com/KSanjuel1nYBLZlrc0azcM
We saw the humpback from our patio & rushed down to Lowman, it was spectacular! My wife got a couple good pics, one especially of the paddle boarder as the humpback went right by.If he/she wants the pic, just let us know.
Dumb behavior on the paddle boarders parts. Anyone know who they are??
They did nothing wrong, just enjoying the gorgeous sunny afternoon when a humpback approached them. I’m sure a memory of a lifetime!
Incorrect they made this opportunity happen had been watching them for a while, and this isn’t the first time
It is actually illegal to get that close to a whale in Puget Sound. Were they hurting it? Probably not, but just the fact that they intentionally got that close to the whale is indiciative of a disregard for its safety versus their desire for a “thrill-seeking” moment. The law exisits to prevent boneheads from doing something, even accidentally, to cause harm, stress, or discomfort to the animal. I’d wager a fair number of people had a “memory of a lifetime” and didn’t end up that close to it. Would be wonderful to identify them and have them cited. The well-being of the animal always takes precedence over the excitement of some chuckle-head in a boat.
I was there and saw it happen.The paddlers went out, and there was already some kayakers and a couple small boats out.We all were watching it.It took a deep dive and then popped up closer, right between them. They didn’t chase it. The be honest, none of us on shore expected it to be so much closer inland…and then it stayed in and went back out by Coleman Pool. They couldn’t have planned that.
Federal law says you must stay 100 yards away from whales, it look’s like the paddle boarders and the little sail boat are very close.
We were right on Lowman beach & the paddle boarders had been there way before the humpback approached them. The paddle boarders did nothing wrong! They simply enjoyed the organic moment that it was
ALL vessels need to be at least 100 yards from humpback whales, even paddle boarders. In this case these two are not being smart.This whale is Kata, and has been the focus of a lot of harrassment as of late. Kata has been in south sound for several weeks.Please watch:
https://www-king5-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.king5.com/amp/article/life/animals/tacoma-boating-laws-humpback-whale/281-ae377388-fd34-4d59-989f-81625a4bfb6e?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16550058784700&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.king5.com%2Farticle%2Flife%2Fanimals%2Ftacoma-boating-laws-humpback-whale%2F281-ae377388-fd34-4d59-989f-81625a4bfb6e
Ridiculous… they did nothing wrong!as though they can chase a whale on a couple of SUPs ; they couldn’t get out of the way if they wanted too!
How is a jet skier racing right up the same as what Caleb reports; ” the paddle boarders had been there way before the humpback approached them.” I have a deep love for animals but honestly don’t see how these two incidents are the same. I even wonder if the paddle held overhead was an attempt to not have “some strange object” in the sight line of the whale.
Yeah, let’s keep it reasonable and not discredit good laws. You’re not in violation if you’re just minding your own business and a whale breaches next to you out of nowhere, esp if you’re on a paddle board that doesn’t have to be registered as a vessel.
Paddle boards are not exempt from the mmpa, especially when paddle boarders often paddle out to intercept whales, as one of these people does frequently.It’s not safe.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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