VIDEO: Southern Resident orca superpod in West Seattle waters

| West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

7:20 PM: Thanks to Jamie Kinney for the video from today’s Southern Resident Killer Whales “superpod” visit! He explains, “Here is an initial video of J, K, and L pods passing by Alki Point. There were easily 40 or more orcas in total across the three groups. I recorded this from Constellation Park, where ~30+ people were enjoying the experience. As I was heading home, I saw more than 150 people watching the whales from the western end of Alki Beach.” Jamie promises more visuals later tonight; we’ll add when we get them.

9:36 PM: From Jamie’s gallery (which you can see here):

The Southern Residents come into the central Sound this time of year chasing their favorite food, salmon – so it’s all intertwined with other sightings, like the coho in Fauntleroy and Longfellow Creeks. (Check out Fauntleroy Creek’s coho during this Sunday’s “open creek.”)

Svenry November 1, 2024 (8:28 pm)

I was hoping Jamie would be there. Awesome video! That was quite the endless orca parade and definitely the most onlookers I’ve seen at once. Here’s a shot from Constellation Park and one from the north side of the point a few minutes later.I have to say, my experience attempting to drive north from Constellation Park didn’t score any points for the Healthy Street modifications. It was total gridlock at one point as cars moving in both directions had nowhere to go with the single lane for traffic. It took some time for everyone to coordinate a solution. Obviously it’s not a problem most of the time, but an unfortunate side effect of the changes during a flux of use.

Jamie Kinney November 1, 2024 (9:18 pm)

Thank you! Your comment made my day :)
Kersti Muul November 1, 2024 (9:32 pm)

I was trapped for 20 minutes because someone decided to park in the road 🤦‍♀️
- LJ November 3, 2024 (6:24 am)
  
  Are u talking about the moving truck that was there all day moving to the complex where it was loading in on 63rd and Allki where cars shouldn’t be driving thru anyway? The Orcas were an added blessing to a new young family’s move in a magical space!! ✨️
K November 2, 2024 (6:25 am)

From the posted pictures, it looks like the pedestrians and bikers are protected from a stream of drivers who can’t speed up or swerve around each other, which is exactly what the design was meant to do.
- Svenry November 2, 2024 (3:19 pm)
  
  Everyone who parks there must cross the narrow traffic lanes to reach the shoreline. A collision with a careless individual seems more likely now than before when there was plentiful space to yield and the ability to park directly on the south side of the street. The current arrangement feels like an over correction.
  - Micah November 4, 2024 (9:07 pm)
    
    Parking there is for residents. That’s why there are huge signs saying that the street is closed. Please don’t drive up this street unless you live there or are visiting people who live there. It is closed to you while in a vehicle otherwise.
    - john November 5, 2024 (11:20 am)
      
      Micah is misinterpreting the signs.
      Everyone is allowed to drive.
      Everyone is allowed to park.
Reed November 2, 2024 (6:55 am)

Good thing you can WALK to Constellation from many other places around Alki in only a few minutes. Vlad’s picture is great: pedestrians with ample space to walk and look at the water next to a bunch of cars creating gridlock and pollution.
- LJ November 3, 2024 (6:30 am)
  
  It’s meant to walk in not drive in now. They didn’t get the memo lol. We live on Alki and 63rd. The Orcas were spectacular! My Grandkids 5 and 7 first sighting!😁

Vlad November 1, 2024 (10:49 pm)

Beachcombover November 2, 2024 (10:27 am)

Thankfully traffic jams and lack of parking on Beach DR SW on Alki Point are about as frequent as super pod sightings! Attending whale sightings all summer I have observed firsthand there was always plenty of parking available on this healthy street and the designated lots. The street design is not and should not be optimized for edge cases.

GreenLakesLover November 2, 2024 (10:46 am)

Great points Reed and K. ! Also just want to add there was still parking available on Beach Dr. down the street from the area Svenry’s picture shows. The person Kersti mentions that chose to park in the middle of the street had other options!

Elena November 2, 2024 (11:39 pm)

I was wondering if anybody knew how long or what are the best days or how many days are left of the orcas going to be visiting down here so I can try to kind of plan accordingly yet I’d love to see them or something like it I guess is anybody have any idea on like the map or the calendar that states like the times that they’re in this area the most and then before they start leaving again I would love to know thank you

WSB November 2, 2024 (11:42 pm)

They don’t really keep a schedule.
Donna, The Whale Trail November 3, 2024 (12:46 am)

Hi Elena – the southern residents are in central Puget Sound an average of 20 days each year between October and February. No one can say exactly when or where, but this is the time of year we expect them to be here, following winter salmon runs. Once they come in, they’re usually around for a day or two.Download the free app Whale Alert to see if the southern residents or other whales are around, and which direction they are heading. That will let you know if they are heading towards or away from West Seattle. They travel about 4 mph if they are moving steadily, but they might slow down or turn around too. The Zen of Whale-Watching!Check out our website thewhaletrail.org for places to watch them from shore, and how to spot them. Reach me at donna@thewhaletrail.org or 206-919-5397 if you have any other questions. Good luck!

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