ORCAS: Southern Resident Killer Whales off West Seattle again

8:37 AM: Southern Resident Killer Whales from J Pod are back in the area, Kersti Muul tells us this morning. This time they are southbound, “spread across the channel” and at last report approaching Point Williams (that’s where Colman Pool is at Lincoln Park). Let us know if you see them!

9:42 AM: Kersti says the whales are now headed northbound.

5:08 PM: They’re still in the area, says Kersti, who pointed out earlier that it appeared to be more than J Pod; it’s a “superpod,” according to Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, who’s out in the Alki area leading shore-based watching. She says researchers Mark and Maya Sears are out with the whales too – and that most if not all of the Southern Residents are here.

13 Replies to "ORCAS: Southern Resident Killer Whales off West Seattle again"

  • Aaron November 1, 2024 (8:48 am)

    Saw one just after 8:30 from Lincoln Park, now south of the park!

  • Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (9:01 am)

    Could likely be more than just Js down here. Too many males. 

  • Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (9:41 am)

    Whales have flipped and are now northbound. Still spread apart in both directions from Ferry lanes0934

  • Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (10:05 am)

    Confirmed K and L pods present as well!Thanks Brittany!

  • Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (10:27 am)

    And some are now southbound again 1025

  • Sevrin November 1, 2024 (2:25 pm)

    Sounds Like all the kids commuting to school on Vashon had quite a show this morning. We live in a special place.

  • Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (4:45 pm)

    Northbound now, super surface active, off lowman, east in channel 445 

  • Steve November 1, 2024 (5:23 pm)

    northbound just off Alki pt.

  • Steve November 1, 2024 (5:45 pm)

    more approaching northbound off Alki pt

  • Tracie November 1, 2024 (6:38 pm)

    Thank to Kersti for all the updates in WhatsApp. We finally caught them today and were so excited. We saw them about 5 pm. The fast ferry had to stop and divert. Many people lined up and cheering. We missed the ones on the East side as we left too early but heard there were many many spectators. Beautiful sight. 

    • Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (9:34 pm)

      Was fun to see so many people out for such a rare occurrence. Glad you made it out 😊 

  • Laura November 1, 2024 (7:17 pm)

    Taken off Alki tonight. 

  • Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (7:24 pm)

    That was an amazing day❤️Hundreds of people at Alki and traffic was insane, like I have never seen it – more people than I’ve ever seen too down there. SDOTs revision was put to the test for sure this evening! I was trapped for 20 minutes but that’s ok.Members of all three pods indeed present as I noted earlier, but it’s not a superpod if some aren’t present – will need confirmation that everyone was accounted for before calling it a superpod, but it was looking good for that. L54s were not with Ls a few days ago but L88 was present so likely they were.I made it back to Seattle just in time to catch the trailers close pass at constellation. Breaches, spyhops, tail and flipper slaps.Love hearing the kids screaming (and adults cussing 🤣)Love the community the whales bring together. Here’s hoping they stick around tonight

    They have been eating and pooping up a storm. Lots of coho and chum.

    Stay tuned!

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