It’s been a while since we’ve been able to publish a Sunday bird gallery – this one was about to take flight a few hours ago, and then the wind swept in. But now that things have quieted down …

That’s a Killdeer that Andy monitored earlier this summer as it incubated four eggs on the rocky beach near his home. After a six-week process – during which he noted the parents facing off with potential predators like Crows – he saw two chicks:

Another reason to tread lightly on local beaches. … We have more beach-bird images, including this video of two Bald Eagles “chatting” at Lowman Beach:

Anthony Decena spotted this Bald Eagle on a seawall at Alki:

Great Blue Herons are a popular photographic subject. Mark MacDonald photographed this group looking for lunch, also at Alki:

Stewart L. found this one with an overview:

And a long-lens look at a Heron’s intense expression:

Susan Whiting Kemp sent this photo of a Mallard family:

Moving to not-so-aquatic birds – the Cooper’s Hawk photo is from John Sturtevant:

Steve Bender shows us a splendid Northern Flicker:

Another woodpecker – Downy Woodpecker, to be specific – showed up at Jon Anderson‘s feeder;

And before we close out this gallery – a recent photo of the wandering West Seattle Guinea Fowl:

Will Lint sent that pic three weeks ago. We had two other sightings of them today. It’s been almost a year since the first sighting we heard about; if they’re news to you, in short, they are reported to have a home, but they’re not kept in a secure yard, so almost daily they turn up roaming, most often in the east Junction area. Drive carefully, as they’ve been known to wander into the street. Meantime, thanks to everyone who shares bird (and other) photos – between galleries, we also sometimes include them as the unofficial “photo of the day” with our daily event list – westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to get us images (unless it’s breaking news, in which case text us at 206-293-6302) – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Summer storm, round 2, with power outages, Alki water-rescue response

August 18, 2024 4:39 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

4:39 PM: No weather alerts yet, but in the past few minutes, the wind has kicked up in a big way, and radar shows another storm band heading this way. Lights are flickering too. Keep everything charged and stay safe! If you have downed trees or anything else to report, once you’ve alerted authorities, tell us too (206-293-6302 text or voice) – thanks!

4:42 PM: It’s not on the map yet but we’re getting outage reports from Riverview. … Here’s the outage, stretching south into White Center and South Park:

4:50 PM: There’s a report of a tree down on Seola Beach Road. Citywide, a dispatcher just declared, “We’re getting a TON of downed tree and wire calls right now.”

4:59 PM: At least one tree is reported down in the Myers/Olson area at the east end of the Roxbury corridor.

5:02 PM: Now there’s a water-rescue response to the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW. Erin, who called it in, tells WSB, it’s for a “kayaker in distress” who tried to wave down a passing boat. Tons of whitecaps while that giant blast of wind roared through, she observes.

5:16 PM: Responders aren’t finding anyone in trouble so far. As for the 2,221-customer power outage, repairs might take a while, as SCL is dealing with more than 26,000 customers out of electricity around its service area. As for the weather itself, looks like the rain shown on the radar might have bypassed us.

5:21 PM: The Alki water-rescue response is now officially canceled.

5:38 PM: Commenters in Morgan Junction mentioned a loud “explosion.” The SCL map now shows a 27-customer outage between Graham, Fauntleroy, 41st, and 42nd. … From Gatewood, Paul sent this photo:

Paul reports, “On 36th just north of Othello. Came down during wind storm. Everyone jumped in to help clean up. Some damage to vehicle.”

9 PM: Both aforementioned outages remain unresolved, per the SCL map. But the utility’s making progress overall – down to 11,000+ customers out throughout its service area, less than half of the peak number.

10:42 PM: This is now the last large outage left. SCL provided a short update of sorts on X/Twitter a few minutes ago: “Crews continue to troubleshoot the issue and are working toward a solution until power is restored to all.”

11:12 PM: The South Park area of this outage just got power back, so it’s down to just under 700 customers, mostly in West Seattle. The short description of the cause is finally labeled as “tree/vegetation” (we’ll be asking SCL tomorrow about the specific location, as to date nobody has reported where the crew is).

11:46 PM: Just for the record, here’s a screengrab of the SCL map showing who’s still out:

12:43 AM: After eight hours, the map shows everyone in this outage is back on. (If you’re not, please let SCL know!)

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ANNIVERSARY: 1 week until 1 year since West Seattle met its troll. Here’s how to be part of next Sunday’s celebration of Bruun Idun’s anniversary

August 18, 2024 2:54 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

August 25, 2023, was the day that Bruun Idun the troll was officially introduced near Colman Pool in Lincoln Park (WSB coverage here), after weeks of semi-secret construction by Danish recycled-materials artist Thomas Dambo and volunteers. Next Sunday is the one-year anniversary, and a restoration event is at the heart of the celebration:

The restoration work party is planned from 10 am to noon Sunday, August 25 – followed by ice cream! Forest steward Lisa McGinty sent the invitation:

August 25th is BRUUN IDUN DAY in Seattle! Celebrate with our much-loved troll in Lincoln Park. We’ll be working to restore natural areas surrounding the troll and making space for winter planting season. After our work is done, Scan Design Foundation will be treating all to an ICE CREAM SOCIAL as we honor Bruun Idun and the land and sea where she calls home. Great opportunity for student service hours!

All ages are welcome; bring your own gloves if you have them, but if you don’t, you’ll be able to borrow a pair, with tools available too. You’re asked to RSVP – you can do that right now, here.

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BIZNOTES: Camp West adds hours, The Good Society adds smashburgers

August 18, 2024 1:04 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Two food biznotes:

CAMP WEST: Toni at Camp West sends word that the Junction restaurant/bar at 4539 California SW has made some additions:

We started opening up early on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00. We also started a late-night food happy hour from 10-11. We will extend the late night happy hour in the fall and winter.

GOOD SOCIETY: From Nick at Admiral brewpub The Good Society (California/Lander):

We are debuting our own smash burger pop-up at The Good Society today at 4 PM. We are calling it SmasH After the MASH. Since we don’t have a hood in our kitchen, it will be a somewhat random pop-up when we feel like having some fun. Our full menu will also be available. People can find more info, schedule, etc., at smash.goodsocietybeer.com.

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CLOSURE: Southwest Pool’s two weeks of maintenance start today

August 18, 2024 11:02 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Reminder to swimmers – as first reported here in early August, Southwest Pool is closed for two weeks of maintenance starting today. The pool is scheduled to reopen the day after Labor Day (right after outdoor Colman Pool ends its season). Seattle Parks says the work will include “repairs of various mechanical systems. (and) a Health Department mandated replacement of our deep-end drain covers.”

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 17 notes!

August 18, 2024 6:07 am

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 17 notes!

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday low tide at Fauntleroy – photo by Tom Trulin. More bird pics later today!)

Here’s what’s happening on your late-summer Sunday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT OPEN: Another reminder that this weekend’s planned closure was canceled because of the rain, so the bridge between 99 and 5 is fully open.

BIG BLUE TRUCK: Third weekend for the West Seattle return of the Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck (WSB sponsor)! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.

SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, you can join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: 9 am, the Westies meet up at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for this week’s Sunday run.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, midsummer produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: Pop-up shopping experience – apparel, art, music too – behind Carmilia’s, in the alley behind the east side of the 4500 block of California SW, 10 am-3 pm. More info in our calendar listing.

SMALL BIZ POP-UP MARKET: Inside Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), 10 am-2 pm.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -2.3 feet at 10:27 am.

MAKERS’ ART MARKET AT ALKI: Noon-5 pm by Alki Bathhouse, shop more than 20 local vendors’ handmade creations. (60th/Alki)

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open to the public today, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Elsewhere at Lincoln Park, you’ll find this 7-days-a-week city wading pool, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.

E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL FINALE: Also open noon-7 pm, last day of this pool’s season. (2805 SW Holden)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers are at Alki Point Lighthouse today for free tours starting at 1 pm; get there by 3:45 pm for the last tour of the day. (3201 Alki SW)

SAWYER BEST ON THE MIGHTY WURLITZER: 2 pm doors, 2:30 pm show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).

STAR ANNA AT EASY STREET: 7 pm in-store concert, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

GONG BATH & NATURE MEDITATION: 7:30 pm at Lowman Beach Park (7017 Beach Drive SW) – ticket link’s in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW) – which is still open even though remodeling continues on the restaurant in front – 8-10 pm.

Organizing and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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