West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Image from 2020 video of Lincoln Park’s kelp forest by “Diver Laura” James)
By Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
There is more than one large forest at Lincoln Park. But for people visiting the West Seattle treasure, the
“other” forest cannot be seen on a typical hike.
Take a walk along the park’s north shore and you may see signs of the other forest — brown bulbs and blades intermingling with the surface of the water — but to really explore it, you’ll likely need diving gear.
Beneath the water off Lincoln Park sits a large kelp bed, one that is thriving relative to other similar kelp and eelgrass beds around Puget Sound. Much like how the forest on the land at Lincoln Park is filled with various creatures, the kelp bed is a marine habitat that’s home to myriad species of aquatic animals.
Lincoln Park’s kelp forest is part of the thousands of acres of kelp and eelgrass beds that have long served as vital aquatic ecosystems across the waters in and around Puget Sound and Washington’s other coasts. But, like the state’s forests above ground, these underwater forests have been shrinking for decades.
Even as Lincoln Park’s kelp bed has stood out as a success story, with the small forest that runs along the park’s north shore remaining present in recent years, similar beds in other parts of central Puget Sound, including those outside Bainbridge Island and Vashon Island, have significantly dwindled or disappeared entirely.
Spurred by these plants’ steep losses — historical studies indicate that floating kelp has disappeared from approximately 80% of shorelines in central and south Puget Sound over the past 100-plus years — local groups and state leaders are taking action to reverse course.
Big fun this afternoon on the playground behind Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, where egg-hunt season began with one presented by the Fauntleroy Community Association. First volunteers – led by coordinator Candace Blue – hid eggs:
Then it was time to let the kids 4 and under have the first chance to find some:
FCA also presents a pumpkin search in the fall – at a somewhat more leisurely pace.
West Seattle has more than half a dozen other egg hunts yet to come next weekend – here’s our updated list.
West Seattle has a strong running culture, with multiple groups, but none that can claim the milestone that the West Seattle Running Club has reached – founder Dave Howard sent this in celebration of its 30th anniversary!
What started with a simple love for running celebrates 30 years of tying up laces, gathering at the Alki Statue of Liberty, and embarking on what has become three decades of the West Seattle Running Club. In 1994, Founder and President Dave Howard greeted 12 people that March evening. 12 strangers before that night. 12 people who were interested in something more; because in the Pacific Northwest, motivation to run alone in the cold and rain can often be hard to find.
This isn’t just a milestone anniversary of people meeting each week to run. This is a celebration of all the memories and extraordinary moments that have come from this club: More than 300 people have run with the club, marriages happened from people meeting via the club (including the Founder/President), and life-long friendships were formed.
30 years strong, and still going. Whether people are marathon runners or walkers, there’s a place for everyone in the West Seattle Running Club.
The club is a social and casual running club for all levels. Members provide support and encouragement to each other in achieving running goals and having fun along the way.
If you want to get serious about a running goal, whether it’s crossing the finish line of a 5K or qualifying for Boston, here’s how being a part of West Seattle Running Club can help:
-Running will become part of your weekly routine.
-You can share goals and achievements with genuinely interested other people.
-You’ll be more motivated to train in all seasons.
-You’ll meet other people who will love to talk about running and compare gadgets.
-You’ll be inspired to set new goals.
-You’ll learn new training routes.
-You can compare notes and get tips from experienced runners, and you’ll be able to share your experience with others.
-You’ll have support at races.
-You’ll have new cross-training buddies.Check our website for information on when and where to run with us: westseattlerunningclub.org
“I used to run alone. Now I run with a second family.” ~ Dave Howard
On this first weekend of spring, we have a dozen more reader-contributed bird photos to share! Thank you very much to all the photographers who send their finds. Above, from Mark MacDonald, a Common Goldeneye and Horned Grebe off Lincoln Park. Below, a Red-necked Grebe seen by Matthew Olson off Duwamish Head:
Marina Clough spotted this Cormorant on a piling:
Steve Bender described this Mallard as a “dancing duck”:
Near Lincoln Park, Sarah Chadd photographed two Downy Woodpeckers drawn by a feeder:
Jon Anderson caught two Band-tailed Pigeons hanging out:
Another duo – Eagles soaring over Alki, photographed by James Bratsanos:
One more Eagle – though it’s a distant view, the location caught David Feit‘s attention, at 35th/Morgan:
Back to trees – Samantha Wren sent this photo of a Black-capped Chickadee in White Center:
Jamie Kinney found this Varied Thrush in his back yard (you can hear its call via this short video):
And two Sparrows from Erin B. Jackson – Golden-crowned and White-crowned:
Thanks again to the photographers – and a reminder, we also publish bird photos with some of our daily event lists on WSB every morning, so if you’re a bird-photo fan, be sure to check those too! westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to send us photos; for breaking news, texting our hotline at 206-293-6302 is OK too!
12:36 PM: First Crime Watch reader report of the day, from Jennifer:
Someone broke into our car that was parked in front of our house close to Stevens and 36th Ave SW, either last night or early this morning. They took my son’s wallet and all his baseball gear, which was in the trunk. There wasn’t much in the wallet, but the baseball gear was important to him. Hopefully, the thieves may not find that useful and disposed of it. It was in a large navy blue duffel bag.
If you think you’ve found it, let us know and we’ll connect you.
1:18 PM: Second Crime Watch report of the day – Megan‘s stolen car:
My car was stolen last night sometime between Sat 8:30 pm and Sun 10:45 am.
I live (in the 3600 block of California SW). It was in a locked and gated garage. It is a 2018 blue Kia Forte, license plate BMH6881. Has a UW sticker on side window. Lahaina Crossfit sticker on rear window. And Green Bay Packers license plate brackets front and back. Police number is 24-080233.
Call 911 if you find it.
11:36 AM: Just texted by Kersti Muul: “Group of transients popping out of Colvos passage now NB toward Southworth.” (Colvos is the waterway along the west side of Vashon.)
1:26 PM: In addition to her update in a comment below, Kersti texted: “We had 2 grey whales near Restoration Point SB a while ago – likely still in the area.” (Restoration Point is on Bainbridge, right across the Sound from Alki – here’s a map.)
2:16 PM: Kersti says the orcas have gone into Elliott Bay.
ADDED 5:40 PM: Thanks for the photos! James Tilley says the orcas engaged in a “breachfest” near Anchor/Luna Park:
David Hutchinson caught one too:
Robert Spears noticed lots of boat activity in the area:
(added) One more photo! This one’s from Dan Ciske:
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of this morning’s moonset,seen over the Olympics before 7 am. Here are some of them! The top photo was texted anonymously; next one is from Stephanie Bruno on Atlas Place:
From Michael Burke in Fauntlee Hills:
And from Patricia, just before it went out of view:
Again, big thanks! Best way to send us photos if you can is westseattleblog@gmail.com – texting to 206-293-6302 also works, especially if it’s urgent (breaking news).
P.S. The current moon phase is part of the info on our West Seattle Weather page (recently added at a reader’s suggestion).
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s our list of what’s up today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PALM SUNDAY SERVICES: Holy Week begins, and we have a list of services at West Seattle churches that have emailed us their schedules (not too late to add – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!).
WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE JAMBOREE: Continuing 8:30 am-6 pm today at Bar-S Fields (64th/Admiral) on Alki Point – West Seattle Little League teams are playing in the season-opening Jamboree, as previewed here. (Find the game schedule here.)
MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open 10 am-2 pm as usual on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering early-spring vegetables and fruit, plus cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.
KINDIE WEST CONCERT SERIES: First show today at 10:30 am at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies!
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need to borrow something for a home project? Visit the WSTL 11 am-4 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at 9 am at rotating locations – today it’s Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOC. EGG HUNT: The hunting happens in two waves at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse‘s playground (9131 California SW) – be there at 1 pm – kids 4 and under go first.
ART SHOW AT NEPANTLA: Fourth weekend for Lucha Libre-themed show at South Delridge’s Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery (9414 Delridge Way SW). Open today noon-6 pm.
LEARN TO SAVE LIVES: Free training in overdose response and prevention, 1 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) – details in our preview.
ART SHOW AT NEPENTHE: Meet the artist! Open house for art show by Autumn Tranquilino, happening 2-5 pm at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW).
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Meet up at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm – our calendar listing includes this month’s topic and other details!
FREE YOGA CLASS: 5 pm at Dragonfly (3270 California SW) – details and signup link are in our calendar listing.
ALSO AT DRAGONFLY: Sound bath, 7 pm, $40.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Wrap up your weekend with music by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Are you planning something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| 15 COMMENTS