VIDEO, PHOTOS: Two groups of orcas off West Seattle – see their spectacular show (updated)

(Added: Video by Mark Bauschke)

8:04 AM: Killer whales are in Elliott Bay this morning, off Duwamish Head, Kersti Muul tells us. She says they are headed toward Alki Point.

8:24 AM: She says three transient orcas are almost to the Vashon ferry lanes.

8:41 AM: A second group, she says, is still north of Alki Point, headed southbound.

9:23 AM: Update from Kersti, first group has passed Lincoln Park, SB, and the other is off Duwamish Head “on a kill.” Meantime, she adds that Southern Residents from K-Pod are in the Tacoma area: “Whales everywhere!”

1:04 PM: Thanks to Mark Bauschke for the video – added above.

5:22 PM: Thanks to everyone else who’s since shared photos and video too – we’ve been away from the desk much of the afternoon but are adding now. First, Trileigh Tucker caught a breach on video:

She also sent photos:

These next two photos are by Daniel Walsh:

ADDED: Video by Mark Rhea:

Check comments too!

18 Replies to "VIDEO, PHOTOS: Two groups of orcas off West Seattle - see their spectacular show (updated)"

  • Wil January 16, 2026 (10:06 am)

    Hey y’all! I saw them when I was biking to work, I also saw a bunch of folks with cameras taking photos! All I got was a lousy phone video. Would anybody be willing to share some of the photos you got with me? 

  • Whalelover January 16, 2026 (10:45 am)

    • OrcaObsessed January 16, 2026 (11:24 am)

      Beautiful shot!!

    • Janiecwood January 16, 2026 (11:58 am)

      I live just south of alki point and saw them!!!! Thought I was filming but in my excitement … didn’t push the start button! Any videos or photos of today would be welcomed!!

    • SoftballUmpireDad January 16, 2026 (12:25 pm)

      WOW!! Great shot! 

  • Kersti Muul January 16, 2026 (11:50 am)

    Just got a surprise close pass off  constellation. T137A

  • Kersti Muul January 16, 2026 (11:52 am)

    K pod is northbound in Colvos passage and should pop out in awhile 

  • Porca January 16, 2026 (12:34 pm)

    What happened to “predation event”?

  • Brooke January 16, 2026 (1:05 pm)

    Amazing photo! Well done!

  • Kersti Muul January 16, 2026 (2:53 pm)

    Great footage Mark of the successful hunt

    • Mark January 16, 2026 (11:01 pm)

      Thanks much 🙌 so much wonderful orca activity today. 

      • Kersti Muul January 18, 2026 (5:52 pm)

        It was a good day it’s great so many people were able to see them so close Doesn’t happen often. Especially the 5x breach. 

  • Mel January 16, 2026 (3:38 pm)

  • Mel January 16, 2026 (3:39 pm)

    • ACG January 16, 2026 (10:27 pm)

      Awesome photo. Thanks for sharing!

  • North Admiral Cyclist January 17, 2026 (11:34 am)

    We ran into this spectacle just northeast of the bath house at Alki Beach about 10:45 to 11:00am on Friday.  One of the better shows put on by Orcas we’ve ever seen.

  • Lois Charles January 17, 2026 (3:09 pm)

    These are spectacular photos and videos. Thank you to everyone who posted them!!!

  • K.S. January 17, 2026 (6:50 pm)

    Thank you family of Orcas for gracing us with your joy, wonder and beauty. Breaching is a sign of a good hunt and fest. May this be true. It is my birthday on 1/16, when the orcas came out to play. Wish I could have been there in person. I am so grateful for all who shared videos and photos of this magical event. Such a special gift. Because of all of you, I feel like I was there in spirit. What a beautiful community! 

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