The photos were sent to us tonight by Brittany Noelle of PNW Orca Pod Squad Photography, who reports:

As you may know, J-pod has now spent 5 days in inland Puget Sound. Today while traveling southbound from Kingston the whales made an usually close pass at Jefferson Beach and then Fay Bainbridge [map], where photographs were taken by myself, Brittany Noelle, with PNW ORCA Pod Squad Photography and Salish Wildlife Watch, of a new J-pod calf (mother unknown at this time).

If you look closely at the top photo, you’ll see the telltale pinkish hue of a baby orca – explained here. This sighting was a ways north of us, but J-Pod was seen off West Seattle just three days ago.

Thanks for all the tips! Orcas are in Elliott Bay – seen off Duwamish Head. Transients, according to Kersti Muul. Headed westbound, according to tips from Bill and Steve about 10 minutes ago.

(J pod southbound in Puget Sound November 2023, by M. Sears – Permit 21348)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

More than 40 people filled C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) Thursday for The Whale Trail‘s winter gathering – with the theme on that solstice night, as executive director Donna Sandstrom put it, “finding light in the darkness.”

She opened with The Whale Trail’s origin story, going back to her involvement with the rescue of Springer the orphaned orca 21 years ago, fast forwarding to the challenges the Southern Resident Killer Whales face today – they could be extinct within a century if the factors contributing to their decline don’t change. At its heart, The Whale Trail is a long stretch of viewing spots with interpretive signage along the Pacific Coast (inland waters like Puget Sound too, with locations including four signs in West Seattle), “from San Diego to Prince Rupert, B.C.,” but in practice it’s much more – like Orca Talks and gatherings such as this one, dating back to 2010 – plus other forms of advocacy (Sandstrom served on the Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery Task Force created by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2018).

That task force addressed many threats to the resident orcas’ survival; Sandstrom’s special interest was shipping noise, including that generated by whale-watching boats. Now there are rules to reduce it, as well as a voluntary pledge program for other boaters. Then, starting in 2025, all boaters will have to stay 1,000 yards away. Sandstrom told attendees that she is serving on an advisory group working on how to ensure all boaters learn about this rule – “we want to make it easy for (boaters to help whales).”

Though the SRKWs’ population isn’t growing, there is reason for hope, Sandstrom said – their three pods (J, K, and L) have nine calves under 5 years old, and six of them are female. She said it’s important for people to leave gatherings like this one “inspired.”

She also paid tribute to longtime supporter Chas Redmond – “he was a super-connector and a joyous human being.” Now, highlights from the guest speakers:

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11:26 AM: Orcas from J-Pod are off West Seattle, per text from Kersti Muul – southbound off Alki Point as of about 15 minutes ago. Let us know if you see them!

11:55 AM: They’re now northbound.

1:53 PM: Per a text from Kersti Muul, orcas are southbound, just past West Point. mid-channel, visible from Alki. Let us know if you see them.

2:22 PM: See comments for updates, including that these are Southern Resident Killer Whales.

ADDED SUNDAY EVENING: Thanks to David Hutchinson for photos! Above, one of the orcas; below, people viewing from Constellation Park:

(J pod southbound in Puget Sound November 2023, by M. Sears – Permit 21348)

Two weeks from tonight, on December 21st, The Whale Trail‘s winter gathering will bring updates on the Southern Resident Killer Whales – here’s the announcement from executive director Donna Sandstrom:

Join The Whale Trail and friends for our annual Winter Gathering. Hear updates about southern resident orcas from researcher Brad Hanson, Ph.D. Learn about current approaches to assess the health of the population, and what the data is showing.

Featured speakers also include Washington State Orca Recovery Coordinator Tara Galuska, and researchers Mark and Maya Sears. Tara will share updates about state actions and priorities for SRKW recovery. Mark and Maya will present recent orca encounters in central Puget Sound, including J pod’s overnight trip to Quartermaster Harbor.

Celebrate Solstice and the progress we have made in protecting southern resident orcas. Learn what you can do to help J, K and L pods today. Together we’ll find light in the dark for the whales!

Get tickets now, this will sell out. This is an in-person event only.

Where: C & P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW
When: Thursday December 21, 7 to 8:30
–Doors open at 6:30.
Tickets: $5 suggested donation.
Advance tickets: brownpapertickets.com

(Reader photo)

2:10 PM: Thanks for the tips! Orcas have been making their way north, in view from west-facing West Seattle. Most recently, Kersti Muul tells us, they’re passing the south end of Blake Island.

2:15 PM: Added above, an anonymous reader’s photo of two of the male orcas as seen off southernmost West Seattle.

2:53 PM: Passing Alki Point, per message from Mike.

3:50 PM: Some have gone into Elliott Bay, per comments below.

10:15 PM: Thanks to Robin Sinner for sending the photo below: “Got a spy hop at 3:37 pm from Anchor Park”:

ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: Thanks to Alex W for sending this video:

10:46 AM: This is the third day a young humpback whale has been seen in Elliott Bay. Kersti Muul tells us its official ID is BCY0995, and that it was born last year to a humpback known as “Smiley.” Today it’s near the downtown waterfront again. She says its lingering in the area is not necessarily a good thing, and explains in a comment on Wednesday’s report:

… It is a bit concerning (not only for safety reasons). Humpbacks are particularly prone to being struck as they are not as aware of their surroundings as other species of whales. This is an app that you can put on your phone that alerts vessels like the ferries to whales’ presence in the area. It’s a great tool that we use to help whales and wildlife in yet one more way. Here is the link.

Soundwatch will be heading out to keep an eye on this calf and take some pictures.

1:51 PM: Added video above sent by Manuel, showing the humpback breaching.

4:41 PM: David Hutchinson sent photos of Soundwatch, mentioned by Kersti above and in comments;

Meantime, Jamie Kinney sent this photo of the humpback’s fluke as it dove:

That’s one view of the humpback whale seen in Elliott Bay on Tuesday, photographed by Robin Sinner, looking across from Colman Dock – Robin also caught it diving:

And we featured Marina Clough‘s photos of the humpback breaching in our Tuesday report. You might get a chance to see it today too – Kersti Muul texted to report that a humpback is in the bay, closer currently to the grain terminal on the north side of the downtown waterfront. Let us know if you see it!

12:17 PM: A humpback whale is in Elliott Bay off Duwamish Head “in the ferry lanes,” according to a text we received a short time ago from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see it!

1:21 PM: From John via email, “Several sightings of blows and tail fin out from Smith Tower, ferry terminal and orange cranes.”

4:14 PM: Thanks to Marina Clough of @westseattleviews for sharing her photos of the humpback breaching near the downtown waterfront!

Transient killer whales are in Elliott Bay right now, Kersti Muul reports via text – westbound off Duwamish Head and “very close.”

9:52 AM: Just got a text from Kersti Muul that orcas are southbound off Brace Point “in the shipping lanes.” Might be too far south for you know, but they’ll eventually have to head north again! Let us know if you see them.

10:17 AM: And in fact, they’ve already turned around, Kersti reports, now northbound off Blake Island.

12:24 PM: In comments, Kersti says they’re now off Bainbridge.

9:10 AM: Thanks to Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail for the tip: “J Pod is exiting Colvos Passage, heading north, We will be at Alki, south of the lighthouse, with binoculars to share.” (Colvos Passage is the waterway along the west side of Vashon Island.)

9:37 AM: Donna says they’re now visible from there.

10:22 AM: Update from Donna – they’re moving fast and now out of sight. She says local researchers Mark Sears and Maya Sears are with them.

A large group of orcas is southbound off south Bainbridge Island, Kersti Muul just texted, saying they might be Southern Residents.

Thanks to Richard for the texted report: “Humpback whale heading north from just south of Brace Point. A couple hundred feet offshore. Just now.”

Transient orcas were in Elliott Bay and visible from West Seattle shores for much of the day on Thursday, as noted here. West Seattle photographer Jamie Kinney caught some amazing views – the first four photos are his, and you can see many more in this gallery on his website.

As reported by Kersti Muul starting Thursday morning, these were transient killer whales (though Southern Residents were seen yesterday too).

The whales brought out a crowd, too – here’s a Thursday photo from Duwamish Head, received from an unidentified texter:

No reports of whales in the West Seattle vicinity yet today, but Orca Network commenters have seen several in the South Sound, so eventually they’ll have to head back this way again.

9:04 AM: Visibility’s a bit of a challenge at the moment, but orcas are out there, according to a texted update from Kersti Muul – a southbound group of transients was off the Bainbridge ferry terminal about half an hour ago, and another group of orcas was further north. Let us know if you see them!

10:03 AM: In addition to her update in comments below, Kersti texted: “Here they come! Southern group of whales now spread out SB from Shilshole to Bainbridge.”

4:54 PM: In addition to the updates all day in comments – thanks! – we have a text from someone who says four are in view right now from the Alki Beach volleyball courts.

4:59 PM: That texter now thinks they might actually be seeing dolphins.

6:25 PM: Kersti in comments and Erin via email tell us there are whales very close to shore along Alki Avenue, off Duwamish Head! (added) Erin sent this photo:

8:42 AM: Three orcas are in Elliott Bay, headed toward downtown, according to a texted report from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them!

9:51 AM: Thanks for the updates in comments, and the photo uploaded by A Labs.

5:08 PM: Transient killer whales are in the area, headed northeast from the tip of Vashon Island, according to a texted tip from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them too!

5:22 PM: Kersti says they’ve turned around and are now off Brace Point, headed southbound.

(Added: Video and photos by Jamie Kinney)

2:51 PM: Transient killer whales are back in the area! Kersti Muul reports four orcas are northbound, last seen off Brace Point south of Fauntleroy. Let us know if you see them!

3:18 PM: Passing Lincoln Park.

6 PM: Added some of Jamie Kinney‘s video and photos above, from the orcas’ pass by Emma Schmitz Viewpoint on Beach Drive.

12:22 PM: If you’re up for early-afternoon whale-watching, Kersti Muul reports transient orcas are headed this way, southbound, toward the north edge of Elliott Bay at last report. They’re closer to the west side of the Sound, so you’d need binoculars. Let us know if you see them!

4:48 PM: Thanks to Jill Anderson for sending video of the orcas as seen off the Bainbridge ferry earlier!

2:53 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the report: Transient orcas are visible, northbound, from Emma Schmitz Overlook.

ADDED 4:35 PM: New from Kersti: “At least two humpbacks along the line from Alki near Cactus to Eagle Harbor. (Possibly three) heading toward Elliott Bay.”

Kersti Muul reports: “One lone male orca (likely T65A5 heading to meet family) is southbound, outer edge of Elliott Bay, past Skiff Point, Bainbridge Island.” (That’s directly across from West Point on the north edge of the bay.)