West Seattle, Washington
21 Friday
Three orcas are southbound in the Bainbridge to Seattle ferry lanes, reports Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them!
2:42 PM: Orcas are headed northbound, currently off Lincoln Park, reports Kersti Muul, who tells us, “Some just passed by (Colman) Pool!) And they’re close to this side of the Sound.
3:47 PM: Photos added, thanks to a reader.
If you’re interested in evening whale-watching, here’s your opportunity – Kersti Muul says transient orcas that have been behaving unusually today, even going up toward the Ballard Locks, are currently southbound, passing Constellation Park.
10:54 AM: In view from west-facing West Seattle shoreline: Kersti Muul tells us “at least one humpback” is northbound from Brace Point.
11:18 AM: Update from Kersti – passing Lowman, close in.
10:59 AM: A large group of transient orcas is passing through the Bainbridge ferry lanes, southbound, reports Kersti Muul, which means they’ll be in view off West Seattle before long if they don’t change direction.
ADDED 8:59 PM: Thanks to Rick R. for sending that photo of some of the whales, with the whale-watching boat Saratoga in view.
11:54 AM: If you’re in the Lincoln Park vicinity, watch for a humpback whale; Kersti Muul reports a sighting off Point Williams (where Colman Pool is). Not clear yet whether it’s southbound, northbound, or just hanging around.
11:56 AM: Just as we published that, she had an update: “Breaching in the Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lane now, so must be southbound.”
If you’re in view of the water today, you might see a humpback whale. Kersti Muul tells us one’s been swimming southbound off West Seattle this morning, seen off Lincoln Park this past half-hour.
A humpback whale is in view off West Seattle’s shore right now, Kersti Muul tells us – currently southbound, approaching Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block of Beach Drive SW). She says, “Really surface-active earlier off Magnolia – so many breaches and pec slaps.” Please let us know if you see it!
Thanks to Dylan for sending that video of a humpback whale seen from the Bainbridge ferry around 5:45 am. Likely the same humpback that Kersti Muul just told us is southbound off west-facing West Seattle, seen in the Lowman Beach vicinity a little while ago, “close to shore.”
8:41 AM: Thanks for the tips about orcas in Elliott Bay this morning! Kersti Muul tells us at least six are now off Alki Ave.
6:53 PM: Photo added – thanks to Robin Sinner for sending it!
Thanks to Kersti Muul for the report – she says a humpback whale is southbound off west-facing West Seattle, seen off Point Williams (Lincoln Park). Let us know if you see it!
“A small group” of transient orcas is headed this way, southbound from Blakely Rock off Bainbridge, Kersti Muul tells us. Let us know if you see them!
A humpback whale is in the area again today, Kersti Muul tells WSB – most recently spotted off Duwamish Head. Let us know if you see it!
Beautiful day to be near the water, and if you are, you might see a humpback whale. Kersti Muul tells WB that one has been sighted off Blakely Rock [map], southbound, so that might put it in view from west-facing West Seattle. Let us know if you see it!
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
If you’ve stopped inside Future Primitive Brewing‘s Alki Beach Bar in the last couple days, you might have noticed the wall newly adorned with an orca fin on a blue backdrop. The piece, created by artist Val Unger, is one of 75 life-size dorsal fins on display around the Northwest for Orca Action Month. (The only other one in this area can be spotted at Duwamish River Community Hub in South Park.
The community art project features 75 different artists, each creating a dorsal fin to represent an endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale. Fins have been created out of materials including plywood, cardboard, metal, and glass. Led by the nonprofit Orca Behavior Institute, the installation was created to remind people that the Southern Resident orcas have now been on the endangered species list for more than 20 years.
“We want these dorsal fins to inspire people to learn more about these whales as individuals and families, and ultimately to take action to protect them,” said OBI’s Monika Wieland Shields, the organization’s co-founder and director.
The Orca Behavior Institute was founded in 2015, when a small group of local scientists focused on the importance of tracking the changes in “behavior and habitat usage of Southern Resident and Bigg’s killer whales of the Salish Sea,” according to their website. They primarily focus their data-collection efforts on behavioral observations, acoustic communication, and habitat usage.
OBI is encouraging people who care about orcas to create their own life-size fins and/or hunt down preexisting fin locations in the area using their interactive map. The hope is for these fins to “spark conversations, inspire storytelling and education, and encourage people to learn more about the plight of these whales and what they can do to make a difference.”
The local fins are at 2536 Alki SW (Future Primitive) and 8600 14th Ave. S. (DR Community Hub).
(Photo added, sent by Dr. Brandon Premier)
9:44 AM: Thanks for the tips! Multiple reports of orcas in Elliott Bay this morning. Most recently, NB off Don Armeni, per Kersti Muul.
9:49 AM: She says they’re now westbound along Alki.
11:45 AM: Thanks to Marshall for the update – they’re now “center channel between Vashon and Fauntleroy, orcas tossing a seal … teaching how to hunt.” (Transient orcas eat other mammals like seals and sea lions, while the less-often-seen Southern Residents tend to focus on fish.)
Kersti Muul tells us orcas are in Elliott Bay, same transients as Monday, “and they have a brand-new calf with them.”
8:18 AM: They’re T124As and T124A1s, for those keeping track, currently by the Coast Guard station on the south end of the downtown waterfront.
We start Monday with orcas in the area! Kersti Muul tells us transient orcas are southbound approaching the Fauntleroy ferry lanes.
First orca report in a while! Kersti Muul says orcas are northbound in central Puget Sound right now, seen off south Blake Island. Let us know if you see them.
That pic is just in from WSB contributor Anne Higuera, on state ferry M/V Kittitas headed from Fauntleroy and Vashon. Let us know if you’ve seen it/them!
1 PM: Amid the murk, orcas are heading back into Elliott Bay right now, reports Kersti Muul, who says it’s the “cookie-cutter” whales that have drawn so much interest in recent weeks. Thanks again to everyone who’s shared photos/video of recent sightings (you can scroll this WSB archive to see) – please let us know if you see them today!
2:20 PM: Thanks to Liz for the photo we added above, and thanks to the commenters with location updates!
9:26 AM: Another orca visit this morning – Kersti Muul reports whales were seen in Elliott Bay, off the downtown waterfront, before 9 am. Please let us know if you see them!
4:09 PM: They’re still around this afternoon – Kersti says they’re currently “close to shore cruising Alki Ave toward Alki Point.”
6 PM: Thanks to Richard for this photo of orcas heading north past Brace Point:
10 PM: More photos! We’re told the whales seen today included both the “cookie cutter” orcas and “regular” transient killer whales. These photos are by Daniel Walsh:
And this group shot is from Robin Sinner:
Lots of opportunities to see whales lately – and you have another one this morning: Kersti Muul tells WSB orcas are northbound right now, seen passing Southworth about 15 minutes ago. Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos and video of recent sightings; please let us know if you see whales today too!
| 0 COMMENTS