PHOTOS: Southern Resident orcas in area. And calf sighting!

10:01 AM: If you don’t mind braving the drippy weather, it’s another great day to see black orca fins slicing through the silver/gray water – Kersti Muul says Southern Resident Killer Whales are back in Elliott Bay. Also, she shared the news that photographer Brittany Noelle first spotted a new calf with J-Pod on Friday in the Mukilteo area. Here’s one of Brittany’s photos – she says it was traveling with J35:

Brittany, of PNW Orca Pod Squad Photography, also was first to see a new J-Pod calf a year ago.

4:46 PM: Getting dark but people are still watching. Updates in comments. Also Donna from The Whale Trail is at Alki with binoculars “hoping the light holds.”

7:08 PM: Thanks to Robin Sinner for the photo just added above, two J-Pod whales in a “close pass at sunset, Lincoln Park.”

HS December 21, 2024 (10:06 am)

Yay!!!

Kersti Muul December 21, 2024 (10:34 am)

Two groups of SRKWs (Js and Ks) this morning. One near GG currently and another heading north from south end Vashon. We will get another chance to view the new calf in a few hours.

TV December 21, 2024 (1:23 pm)

Wonderful news!! The best Christmas gift for us in WS :)

Kersti Muul December 21, 2024 (3:06 pm)

Happy news continues – we are thrilled to report calf is still with the J17s and specifically J35, currently NB from South Vashon. May be here by sundown… Maybe lol

Seattle side, cove at Normandy Park now 3:08

Kersti Muul December 21, 2024 (3:53 pm)

Jpod very close to shore here. Approaching Seola/Arroyos 350Weather is clear for a bit. Come and and see the new baby!

Cogburn December 21, 2024 (4:23 pm)

This is great. I do need to mention that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the One Seattle Plan for upzoning does not include consideration for nor mention specifically orca or killer whale in the entire document. Pollution from runoff with higher density areas and new development can be a major threat to resident killer whales.

Kersti Muul December 21, 2024 (5:19 pm)

Yes. Commenting ended yesterday unfortunately but I raised this issue and we posted about it. Please write to the mayor and council
Himbo December 21, 2024 (9:02 pm)

One of the biggest threats to salmon is runoff from tires. Walkable neighborhoods — which is to say dense neighborhoods with lots of public transit — reduce that runoff. They also prevent the paving over of rural areas, which also degrades stream habitat. Maintaining low density neighborhoods necessarily means more sprawl, more cars, and worse outcomes for salmon and the orcas that depend on them.