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UPDATE: Orcas passing West Seattle, southbound
April 3, 2021 11:49 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:49 AM: Just in from Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch: Transient orcas are southbound, just north of Discovery Park, headed this way.

12:35 PM: Still headed this way, Kersti reports in a comment.

1:14 PM: Another update from Kersti – passing Alki Point.

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WHALE-WATCHING: Northbound orcas off West Seattle
March 24, 2021 3:04 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch for another alert about whales heading this way – they’re northbound, south of Fauntleroy, right now. These are transient killer whales again. Let us know if you see them!

P.S. Kersti warns of “choppy seas,” so not optimal viewing this time.

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UPDATE: Orcas nearby again
March 23, 2021 4:38 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Orcas nearby again
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

4:38 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip – transient killer whales are in the area, midchannel in Puget Sound, southbound, passing the mouth of Elliott Bay. Let us know if you see them!

7:06 PM: Texter says they’re in view now looking south toward the Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry lane.

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Pre-sunset whale-watching
March 20, 2021 6:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Pre-sunset whale-watching
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Kersti Muul sends word that transient orcas are southbound just south of Blake Island, toward the west side of the channel.

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WORDS FOR WHALES: Here’s who won The Whale Trail’s Welcome the Orcas poetry contest!
March 13, 2021 2:16 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | WS culture/arts

(J58 and her family, by Mark Sears, NOAA Research Permit 21348. L-R, J51, J22, J41, J58, J19, J37 – thanks to Maya Sears for IDs!)

Like so many things, The Whale Trail‘s annual “Welcome the Orcas” celebration went virtual this year. The announcement we published in December included an invitation to enter a writing contest. Today – news of the winners!

The Whale Trail announces the winners of its first Welcome the Orcas Writing Contest, held in December 2020 to celebrate the seasonal return of the endangered southern resident orcas to central Puget Sound. Writers Andy Havens and Hannah Lindell-Smith, both West Seattleites, took top honors in their age groups.

“We are grateful to everyone who participated, and helped us welcome the southern residents with heart, and art!” said Whale Trail director Donna Sandstrom. “With the recent additions of J57, J58 and L125, there are three new calves to welcome! The southern resident community has grown to 75 individuals — here’s to a new season of hope for the orcas, and the world.”

First Prize
The Librarian, by Andy Havens (Adult Category)
J57, by Hannah Lindell-Smith (9th to 12 grade)

Second Prize
Love Them, Protect Them, by Lucy Larkin (Adult Category)
Orca Song, by Hannah Lindell-Smith (9th to 12 grade)

Honorable Mention
Welcome Home, Orcas, by Bobbi Fabbelano (Adult Category)

Read all the prize-winning poems on The Whale Trail’s website here; the first-prize winners are below:

The Librarian
by Andy Havens

The orca’s tongue is tattooed in crowblack ink
with the whole history of the Hoh
and the names of Nisqually who breathed the air
in the sacred space between hawk and bear –
hung to cure in a frozen smoke.

In the blackfish grin, written on salmon skin,
lives the library of the Lummi
and the forgotten words to S’Klallam songs
sung in the fog from which they’re drawn –
then gone like a dream’s unblooming.

But the orca speaks, too, the newer words
of submarine and ferry boat
and the sharp dialect of high skylines
that replace the flesh with the crystalline –
concrete terms being asked to float.

A blackfin ripple loops like cursive in the bay
as the orca pens the Pacific tome
and writes Sound verses beneath the surface
in a Salish hand whose arc is perfect –
the scrimshaw line of tooth and bone.

*Andy Havens is husband, a father of two, and a US Army veteran living on the ersatz island of West Seattle. He is currently writing poetry focused on Pacific Northwest geography, nature, and history. His poetry has appeared in Fragments Literary Magazine and the online journal Whatever Keeps the Lights On.

(Backlit blows of J pod in Puget Sound. Photo by Mark Sears, NOAA Permit 21348)

J57
by Hannah Lindell-Smith

You are the wind.

You are the Sun and Moon that light the way.
You are the stars in the darkest of nights.
You are the rainbow after the storm.

You are the waves you swim through,
the child of the life-giving water and your family’s tears.
You are the blood of a dying universe.

You are the fighter and survivor.
You are the salmon that travel hundreds of miles
to give their lives to you.

You are the stories your family will tell you.
You are all that they will give to you,
and the love you will give to all.

You are everything that has come before.
You are the one we have been waiting for.

*Hannah Lindell-Smith is a 14-year-old from Seattle. She is a student, activist, writer, and change-maker, future and present. Watch out, world!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Statewide award for West Seattleite Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales
March 4, 2021 6:23 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | Whales | Wildlife

Along with direct action to save endangered orcas, education is key. A West Seattle resident who specializes in that – as well as research – has just been honored with a statewide award. Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales has received the Outreach Award from the Washington chapter of The Wildlife Society. From the organization’s announcement, prepared for an upcoming edition of its newsletter:

Since 2000, Jeff Hogan has dedicated himself to Killer Whale Tales. Jeff had an idea that would pull together his Orca research experience with theatrical storytelling, science, and childhood education. His decision to put everything on the line to start a nonprofit is indicative of just how committed he is to ensure that the next generation understands the way consumer behaviors impact the environment, and also that science is cool!

For the first 10 years of the program’s existence, Jeff ran the program, creating and updating the program materials, delivering the program, fundraising, analyzing data, accounting, marketing, and scheduling almost entirely by himself. More recently, as the program has evolved to include more-robust data reporting and communications, Jeff has been able to rely on board members to help with some of the back-end functions, but the program materials, delivery, relationship building with teachers / researchers / major funders / other similar organizations still falls mainly on Jeff’s shoulders.

He has brought engaging environmental education to 125,000 elementary school students throughout the West Coast and Canada, and over 60,000 students have completed and returned “Kids Making a Difference Now” conservation worksheets, meaning they have taken action at home to reduce their family’s environmental footprint and help the whales. Jeff has continuously been the driving force in this nonprofit and has sacrificed personally to keep it going.

Jeff has some kind of a magical presence that inspires everyone he meets to take interest in the Southern Resident killer whales, science, and/or the environment. It is truly a remarkable talent that very few others possess. Killer Whale Tales have now converted over to online learning due to the pandemic and as odd as it may sound, it has opened up a whole new set of opportunities. Jeff is now working with children and families across the globe – from India, to the UK, and up and down the eastern seaboard of the U.S., he has “pods” of young future scientists sprouting up all across the planet!

Jeff also is a researcher. He co-authored recently published research showing that vessel noise interrupts Southern Resident Killer Whales’ feeding, especially females. Vessel noise is a major focus for advocates trying to increase the chances of saving the endangered orcas from extinction.

P.S. Killer Whale Tales is a nonprofit; here’s how to support its work.

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ORCAS: New calf born to Southern Resident Killer Whales
February 17, 2021 9:22 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

As noted in the comment section following this afternoon’s report on transient orcas’ visit, their cousins the Southern Resident Killer Whales have a new addition.

From the Center for Whale Research‘s announcement:

Following word that J, K, and L pod were in Haro Strait, CWR dispatched two boats with field researchers to photo-identify the new calf and as many other SRKWs as possible for our annual population census.

​CWR’s photo-ID expert, Dave Ellifrit, captured images that show L125 with fetal folds, indicating a relatively recent birth. “It is nicely filled out and appears to be a perfectly normal little calf,” said Ellifrit.

L125’s size and shape are typical of a calf in good physical condition. The new calf’s mother is L86 [born in 1991], her fourth offspring.

Drs. John Durban and Holly Fernbach (SR3) captured drone photos of L125 and, given its size, estimate it to be 1 – 1 1/2 months old.

L125 has one living sibling, L106 (male), born in 2005. L86 has given birth to two other calves: L112 and L120, both now deceased. L112 (born in 2009) was killed by blunt-force trauma during military exercises in 2012. L120 was born and died in 2014.

L125 is the first calf born into L pod since January 2019, when L77 gave birth to L124.

The last time the Center for Whale Research encountered Southern Resident orcas in the Salish Sea was January 20, 2021 (J and K pod). CWR’s most recent previous encounter with L pod was September 24, 2020.

The other calves born into J pod in 2020, J57 and J58, were observed today and looked to be doing well.

Both of those calves were born last September.

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WHALES: Transient orcas off West Seattle again, before swimming into Elliott Bay
February 17, 2021 2:52 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(First 2 photos by Trevor Simonton)

2:52 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch for the report – transient killer whales are passing West Seattle again, southbound right now, visible from Alki. Let us know if you see them!

3:29 PM: Via email, Robin Sinner says they’re moving southwest, with a research boat trailing.

4:16 PM: Kersti and Robin both note in comments that the orcas are now in Elliott Bay, near the grain terminal.

(Photo by Liz Murdock)

6:51 PM: Photos added.

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ORCAS: Passing West Seattle, northbound
February 15, 2021 4:22 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

The transient killer whales that passed West Seattle southbound on Sunday are headed back northbound right now, reports Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch. They were “mid-channel, close” off The Arroyos as of a short time ago. Visibility’s not the best, though, with fog in the area, but they’re out there.

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SNOW DAY SIGHTING: Orcas off West Seattle
February 14, 2021 5:47 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

5:47 PM: As dusk approaches, transient orcas are southbound off Constellation Park, reports Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch. Thanks to Sue Kearns for the photo of one of them off Alki earlier! In our afternoon snow coverage, we mentioned Kersti’s first report that the whales were in Elliott Bay.

ADDED: Here’s a photo from Kersti:

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WHALES: Orcas passing West Seattle
February 9, 2021 4:22 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Transient orcas are passing West Seattle right now, reports Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch – northbound, toward the west side of the channel, off Brace Point at last report. Let us know if you see them!

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UPDATE: Orcas in view off West Seattle
January 14, 2021 3:12 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

3:12 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch for the tip: Orcas are in view from West Seattle right now! They’re visible from Constellation Park, east of mid-channel, Kersti says, southbound, passing Blake Island. Let us know if you see them.

3:29 PM: Update from Kersti – they’re “just hanging” off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (across from Me-Kwa-Mooks – she says they’re transients so they may well be hunting (transients eat other marine mammals, unlike resident orcas, who focus on fish).

4:22 PM: Among those who’ve seen them, Mike Jensen:

ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Along with the photos in comments, here’s another one – from Kersti:

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ORCAS: Whales visible from West Seattle
December 23, 2020 12:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Just in from Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch – orcas in the area! She says a small group is “milling” off the north end of Vashon Island. Let us know if you see them!

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ORCAS: Whales in view off West Seattle
December 20, 2020 10:53 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

10:53 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch for the tip – orcas are in view from Alki, at least four, southbound toward the west side of the Sound. Let us know if you see them!

11:04 AM: They’re moving fast – Kersti says they’re now off Blake Island.

12:37 PM: Now passing the south end of Lincoln Park, per Kersti, who says these are transient orcas, not residents.

2:16 PM: Another update from Kersti – residents are in the area too!

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ORCAS: State commission sets limits on commercial Southern Resident Killer Whale-watching
December 19, 2020 1:15 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | Whales

(Photo by David Hutchinson, from January visit of Southern Resident Killer Whales)

It’s not the only threat to endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, but vessel noise is a danger that can be reduced, and it will be, after a vote Friday by the state Fish and Wildlife Commission. Limits on commercial whale-watching are the culmination of work that Gov. Inslee‘s Southern Resident Orca Task Force started more than two years ago. Among the members of that task force was Donna Sandstrom, the West Seattleite who is executive director of The Whale Trail, a nonprofit that evangelizes and facilitates land-based whale watching. She tells WSB, “It’s not the year-round suspension the whales need, but it is a huge step forward and a significant reduction in noise and disturbance compared to the status quo. A big win for the orcas.” Just before the pandemic stopped in-person gatherings, in fact, The Whale Trail’s midwinter gathering last February (WSB coverage here) focused on the noise issue and the task force’s recommendation of restrictions on vessels watching the Southern Residents. The problem is that noise disrupts their ability to use echolocation to find the salmon they subsist on – salmon that themselves are already scarce. Work to increase the salmon supply and reduce water pollution is vital too, but neither of those can be implemented quickly, while noise reduction can. Here’s the slide deck from the meeting, including the restrictions (“Option A”) approved by the commission (with one “no” vote from a commissioner who wanted tougher rules):

As pointed out in the slides, thousands of comments were received, the majority in support of strong restrictions. The commission was tasked with making a decision on rules by year’s end, as required by the Legislature; Sandstrom notes that the bill setting the stage for that was sponsored by 34th District State House Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon of West Seattle. This is unlikely to be the last word on the vessel-noise issue; some commissioners expressed concern that private vessels, not covered by the new rules, will rush into the void, for example. And they acknowledged that more stringent rules may be needed in the future, but this is “a starting point.” The rules will not apply to any other whale-watching done by the commercial vessels, only the endangered resident orcas, who number 74, perilously close to their historic low.

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How you can join in this year’s virtual ‘Welcome the Orcas’ celebration
December 11, 2020 9:45 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Photo by Mark Sears, research permit 21348)

Whenever orcas are in our area, we share the news – and today’s news is how local advocates are inviting you to be part of the virtual “Welcome the Orcas” celebration. Here’s the announcement:

The Whale Trail and Seal Sitters invite the public to celebrate the annual return of the southern resident orcas to central Puget Sound. For 2020, the annual celebration has been transformed from a 1-day event into a series of activities that anyone can do from home. The community can show creativity and support for J, K, and L pods while maintaining physical distancing. The endangered orcas return to central Puget Sound each fall and winter, following chum salmon runs that are a critical part of their diet. The recent birth of two new calves is a ray of hope for this struggling population.

How to celebrate:

Put a Whale In your Window! Children and adults are invited to download, color, and display a welcome sign in their window. Use the downloadable template, or make your own. Display the sign in your window and share on social media with #welcometheorcas.

Write for the Whales. Write a poem or share your story. Share what the orcas mean to you, and your hopes for their future. Do you have a favorite orca, or orca story? We want to hear about it! Orca-themed prizes will be awarded for the top three poems or stories in each category: K-2nd grade, 3-5th grade, 6-8th grade, 9-12thgrade, adults. Limit of 3 submissions per person. Submission accepted on The Whale Trail’s website. Prizes are non-monetary. Winners will be announced in January 2021.

Snap a Selfie! Take a picture of your welcome sign. If you live near a Whale Trail site, show us what you see. (Wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and follow all other COVID restrictions.)

“There’s nothing like seeing J,K or L pods in our own backyard, an urban fjord where they have thrived for thousands of years,” says Whale Trail director Donna Sandstrom, a former member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force. “In one human generation we’ve brought them to the edge of extinction, through threats that are all human-caused. Join with us to welcome the orcas with heart and art and commit to making the Salish Sea a place that can sustain them again.”

From a high of 98 animals in 1996, the southern resident population has declined precipitously, to a current near-historical low of 74 individuals. In 2019 Governor Inslee’s Task Force recommended 49 actions to recover the southern residents by increasing prey availability, reducing toxin accumulations and reducing noise and disturbance. Welcome the Orcas offers a creative way to celebrate our connection to the orcas and confirm our commitment to protect them.

Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network was founded in 2007 to protect marine mammals and to educate the public about our shared environment. “The Whale Trail is a natural ally in this work, said Lynn Shimamoto, Co-Investigator of Seal Sitters. “We are thrilled to join with all our partners in welcoming the orcas back to Puget Sound.”

Welcome the Orcas is co-sponsored by The Whale Trail, Seal Sitters, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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ORCAS: Southern Resident Killer Whales here again!
December 7, 2020 2:59 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Southern Resident orcas are back in the area for the second consecutive day! Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch says it’s K-Pod this time, southbound, north of Alki Point. Let us know if you see them!

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PHOTOS ADDED: Southern Resident Killer Whales, southbound
December 6, 2020 12:39 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

(Photo by David Hutchinson, from Constellation Park)

12:39 PM: You may have another chance to see Southern Resident Killer Whales from the West Seattle shore today. Both Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch and Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail tell us orcas from J-Pod and K-Pod – two of the three resident groups – are headed southbound in this direction, still a bit north of Elliott Bay. Let us know if you see them!

1:23 PM: See comments for updates; Kersti reports some turned into Elliott Bay.

1:54 PM: Donna called to say the whales are now visible from Constellation Park (south of Alki Point), back southbound in the Sound, but “bring your binoculars.”

(This photo and next by Jerry Simmons)

3 PM: Kersti’s update in comments – with photos – says some were visible without binoculars.

(Photo by Kersti Muul, who identifies this whale as J37)

Meantime, Sasha tweeted this video:

5:46 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s since sent photos!

(Photo by Jamie Kinney, who has more here)

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ORCAS: In the area again today
December 5, 2020 10:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

Orcas are in the area again today. About an hour ago, whales were spotted in the Bainbridge ferry lanes, southbound, according to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch, so if you’re by the water any time today, be on the lookout. She says the whales that passed by yesterday were transients, not residents.

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ORCAS: Southbound whales headed toward West Seattle
December 4, 2020 10:53 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Thanks to Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch for the tip: Orcas are in the area again, southbound off Bainbridge Island (Yeomalt – here’s a map). Let us know if you see them!

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ORCAS: Whales’ Saturday visit
November 28, 2020 9:57 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

9:57 AM: For the second day in a row, you have a chance to see orcas off West Seattle – Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch says whales are southbound, south of the Bainbridge-Seattle ferry lanes. Let us know if you see them!

10:32 AM: In addition to the updates in comments (thank you!), Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail called to say they’re between Blake and Vashon, visible through binoculars.

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WHALES: Resident orcas off West Seattle
November 27, 2020 12:36 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Photo added, by Kersti Muul – Mom and son in the sunset. J26 Mike and J16 Slick)

12:36 PM: Southern Resident Killer Whales are back in our area! Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch reports J-Pod whales are southbound, visible from Alki right now, closer to the Bainbridge Island side of the Sound, so definitely binoculars are needed. Let us know if you see them!

1:24 PM: Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail says they’re visible off Alki Point, and if you need a point of reference, researcher Mark Sears has his boat out nearby.

2:32 PM: See comments for updates. Reported off Lowman Beach as of a short time ago.

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WHALES: Two groups of orcas, two directions
November 21, 2020 11:13 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:13 AM: Two groups of orcas are heading in our direction, from opposite directions, according to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch: Transient orcas are northbound, passing Three Tree Point a little while ago, while Southern Resident Killer Whales from J-Pod are reported to be southbound, off mid-Bainbridge Island at last report. Let us know if you see any of them.

12:15 PM: See comments for updates – thanks to everyone providing them!

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