One week ago, we reported on the new baby born to the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Baby L128 and mom L90 were still in the San Juans at last report. Today, a science team that recorded drone video of them, under research permit #21348, has made that video available to media, so we are publishing it. The team included SeaDoc Society, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and NOAA Fisheries, and the video is from September 15. The calf could have been as young as two days old, by estimate of the Center for Whale Research, when this was recorded.

Ready for some Friday afternoon whale-watching? Kersti Muul reports via text that “orcas have exited Colvos Passage [west side of Vashon] and are heading up the east side of Blake, so will be visible from West Seattle. They are traveling quickly, with long down times, and may be hard to spot!” Let us know if you do see them.

(Photo by Ashley Whitman)

12:49 PM: You may have already heard about the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales’ new baby, born just days ago in L Pod. But before the official orca-documenting organizations started circulating the news, the photographer who took these photos was first to see the little one, L128, with its mom, L90. We heard about this from West Seattle’s Kersti Muul, who often tips us about orca sightings; she explained that her friend Ashley Whitman had spotted the new calf. We contacted Ashley to ask for permission to use her photos.

(Photo by Ashley Whitman)

She explains that her sighting was “the first documented encounter with new calf L128 and mom L90, on Sunday, September 15 at 12:49 pm on the west side of San Juan Island.” [vicinity map] Later, she adds, a research boat showed up:

(Photo by Ashley Whitman)

On Monday, the Center for Whale Research and SR3 checked on mother and baby; CWR reported that day, “The calf (L128) is VERY new; it’s tiny and has very clear fetal folds. Our best guess is that it was born within the last three days. We can also confirm that the calf is nursing and moving normally.” Mom L90, also known as Ballena, is 31 years old; this is reported to be her first known calf. L Pod is the largest of the three Southern Resident pods. P.S. Fall is historically when Southern Residents come into the central Sound, chasing salmon, so there’s a chance the new baby might make an appearance nearby.

ADDED 6:24 PM: Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail has two important reminders;

While of course it is good news that there is a new calf, there is cause for concern: L90 is a first-time mom, and she stayed behind when the southern residents exited the Sound over the weekend. While we hope for the best for L90 and her calf, we do so with the understanding that the survival rate of an orca calf in its first year is less than 50%, and that the separation from the rest of the pod is very unusual. We know how much people care about these whales, and we want to be sure that everyone is fully informed.

Boaters can help L90 and her calf by staying 1,000 yards away from them. Take the pledge to Give Them Space, and report violators to 800-853-1964.

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Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip: Groups of transient orcas are approaching Brace Point, spread out, northbound. Let us know if you see them!

Orcas are southbound in the Sound, reports Kersti Muul via text, passing Blake Island at last report.

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the updates – transient orcas are back in the area today; they’ve been headed southbound, seen off Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island [map] less than half an hour ago. Let us know if you see them off West Seattle!

Thanks to the anonymous texter who just sent that pic – they and Kersti Muul both just texted that southbound transient orcas are headed this way, toward the mouth of Elliott Bay – let us know if you see them!

12:46 PM: At least one humpback whale is passing Alki Point, per Kersti Muul, who says that it’s headed southbound, and there might be a second one too. Let us know if you see it/them!

12:54 PM: Texted update from Kersti – three humpbacks and they’re “close in” in the Brace Point area.

2 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for updates on transient orcas in the area today. Finally getting a chance now to mention them – they’re headed northbound, off the east side of Blake as of half an hour ago but still in the general area. Let us know if you see them!

5:17 PM: As Kersti notes in the comments and just texted us, “A different group, the T-77s have just exited Colvos Passage NB and will be visible from West Seattle now.” (Colvos Passage is the waterway between Vashon’s west shore and the south Kitsap Peninsula’s east shore.)

11:02 AM: Just texted by Kersti Muul: “There’s a humpback whale that’s been slowly making its way north this morning. It’s now getting close to the Fauntleroy Ferry Lanes. Close to shore.” Please let us know if you see it!

3:33 PM: Kersti also let us know about four orcas southbound in the Bainbridge ferry lanes about half an hour ago. An Orca Network commenter says they’re now off Blake Island and have flipped to head northbound.

8:35 AM: Terence emailed to report that as of less than an hour ago, “There are three orcas in Elliott Bay swimming southbound past the grain terminal toward the central waterfront. Currently about 100 yards offshore.” Let us know if you see them!

8:38 AM: Just a moment after we published that, Kersti Muul texted reporting a large group of transient orcas midchannel off Eagle Harbor (Bainbridge Island), southbound.

12:28 PM: Thanks to everyone for all the updates in comments! We also got a text from Chris Frankovich a short time ago, reporting orcas southbound past the Arroyos. Also, Courtney sent this video via X/Twitter:

3 PM: Thanks to Dan Ciske for sending a pic from Alki:

4:41 PM: Thanks to Robin Sinner for these photos from Constellation Park:

Thanks to Mike for the tip! He reports that orcas are in view near Blake Island. According to an Orca Network commenter, they’re headed southbound. Let us know if you see them!

9:05 PM: If you have eyes on the water as nightfall nears, watch for whales! Andrew sent word that as of about 15 minutes ago, northbound orcas were passing Arbor Heights, and the Orca Network has a Brace Point report from a few minutes ago. Let us know if you see them!

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Andrew sent this pic this morning, of the view he had from above (the whales are right at the bottom of the frame):

Orcas were in view off West Seattle earlier this morning, and while we missed the chance to mention them earlier, we just got word from Kersti Muul that they’re now “northbound after milling,” on the west side of the channel (so binoculars definitely needed), off Lincoln Park.

Baleen whale – which usually means humpback or gray – in the Fauntleroy ferry lanes right now, per Kersti Muul.

Whale sighting reported by Kersti Muul: “Humpback just north of Lowman Beach, mid-channel toward Me-Kwa-Mooks.” Let us know if you see it!

P.S. You can learn more about humpbacks in Puget Sound via this Seattle Channel video, produced by Annabel Cassam with photographer/editor Pete Cassam, and featuring some West Seattleites’ work – you’ll see Jeff Hogan interviewed, as well as photos by David Hutchinson:

8:57 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the alert – a baleen whale (gray or humpback, generally) is northbound off Brace Point, “very close to shore.” Let us know if you see it!

10:28 AM: Kersti says it’s a humpback, now off Constellation Park.

If you’re heading out for the low-low tide (-2.8 feet at 11:43 am), you can do some whale-watching too – Kersti Muul just texted with word that a humpback whale is “smack in the center of Elliott Bay.” Let us know if you see it!

Early-evening whale-watching opportunity! Kersti Muul just sent word of a baleen whale (usually either a gray or humpback) in view off Alki Point.

This weekend marks the official start of boating season, and boaters are encouraged to keep their distance when Southern Resident Killer Whales are in the area. Here’s the reminder from a coalition of advocates and authorities:

(Photo of Calf J56 [Tofino] and Mother J31 [Tsuchi], by Mark Sears, NOAA Permit #21348)

Last year the Washington State Legislature passed a new law requiring boaters to stay 1,000 yards away from the critically endangered Southern Resident orcas, beginning in January 2025. With the opening of the boating season, national and regional conservation groups encourage boaters to take the voluntary pledge at givethemspace.org and give the whales the space they need today.

The Southern Resident orca population currently consists of 74 individuals, nearing their historical low of 71. “There are nine calves under 5 years old in the population, including Tahlequah’s newest calf, and six of those are female,” said Donna Sandstrom, director of The Whale Trail. “The future of the population is here. Their ability to survive and thrive into adulthood depends on the actions that we take today.”

“Our goal is that every boater in Puget Sound, and through the Southern Resident orcas’ range, will take this pledge, and do their part to give the whales the space they need, even before it is required,” said Rein Attemann, Puget Sound senior campaign manager at Washington Conservation Action. “Boaters have a unique opportunity to play a role in the Southern Residents’ recovery, simply by avoiding them while at sea, and making it easier for the whales to find and catch their prey.”

“The Southern Residents are on the brink of extinction due to human-caused threats, including lack of prey, toxic contaminants and disturbance by boats and noise,” said Kathleen Callaghy, Northwest representative at Defenders of Wildlife. “Giving the whales space is the simplest and most immediate way we can help them, and we don’t have to wait until 2025 to do so.”

The law implements a recommendation from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) based on recent science showing that when vessels approach closer than 1,640 yards it significantly reduces the whales’ ability to find and catch prey. The harm from vessel noise and disturbance is more pronounced in females, who abandon hunts when boats approach closer than 400 yards.

Currently, commercial whale-watching operators are required to stay 1,000 yards away from Southern Residents most of the year, while other boaters are allowed to approach as close as 300 yards. The new law resolves that difference. Having one distance for the majority of boaters gives the whales the space they need to forage successfully, and the rule will be easier to communicate, comply with and enforce.

“Even though the distance requirement is not mandatory until 2025, there’s no reason to wait to give the whales the space they need,” said Lovel Pratt, marine protection and policy director at Friends of the San Juans.

“On the long road to recover the Southern Residents, Washington State has taken a big step forward,” said Miguela Marzolf, ocean policy coordinator at the Seattle Aquarium. “We encourage the federal governments of Canada and the United States to follow suit and give the whales the space they need throughout their range.”

“WDFW’s Orca Regulations Communications Advisory Group, or ORCA Group, is working hard to help the Department get the word out about the upcoming change to the distance regulations,” said Julie Watson, WDFW’s Killer Whale Policy Lead. “Everyone can help by spreading the word and setting an example now by practicing the 1,000-yard setback before it goes into effect in 2025.”

3:29 PM: Just texted by Kersti Muul: Orcas are “super close to shore,” northbound, headed toward Lincoln Park.

7:51 PM: Thanks to David Hutchinson for sending photos of the orcas – transients, he says – as they passed Constellation Park and headed into Elliott Bay.

A gray whale is feeding close to shore off Alki. Kersti Muul says it’s about 100 feet out off the 1700 block of Alki Avenue SW right now and was close in off the west end of Alki earlier.