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Whales 434 results

ORCAS: Two views from the Southern Resident Killer Whales’ Sunday visit
October 19, 2020 9:58 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

On Sunday, we reported on another visit by Southern Resident Killer Whales. No visuals, though, until tonight:

That video is by Hannah Schuh, a seventh-grader at Madison Middle School. Her mom Liz Schuh sent us the clip, recorded at Point Robinson on Maury Island (a popular whale-watching spot since Puget Sound’s main channel narrows there and you have a better chance of a close pass). Viewing advice from Liz: “After the breaching whale, another group surfaces, including one of the babies.”

The babies are part of J-Pod, which may have another calf soon – we also received photos tonight from Brittany Philbin of PNW Orca Pod Squad Photography – a pregnant orca, also photographed from Point Robinson:

The photographer explains, “During their close pass, J46 Star breached just offshore and luckily I was in the right place at the right time and captured a photo at just the right angle to see her heavily pregnant abdomen. She has been confirmed by researchers to be pregnant. I just thought residents of West Seattle would love to see these photos of J46 Star. They are so beloved throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

J46 was born in November 2009.

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ORCAS: Whales off West Seattle again!
October 18, 2020 11:40 am
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:40 AM: Just got a call from Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch – orcas are heading for West Seattle waters again, currently southbound in the Bainbridge Island ferry lanes. Let us know if you see them!

12:05 PM: Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales says they’re visible off Alki Point.

12:17 PM: Saw them! From north Emma Schmitz Overlook, with binoculars.

1:51 PN: Just seen off The Arroyos, per commenter Desertdweller, still southbound.

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ORCAS: Whales off West Seattle again
October 17, 2020 10:05 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

10:05 AM: For a second day, orcas are in view off West Seattle. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail just sent word that they’re southbound off Alki Point. Let us know if you see them!

10:20 AM: Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales just called with an update – they’re now off Emma Schmitz Overlook, still southbound.

11:52 AM: Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch says in comments that they’ve turned around and are now northbound.

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ORCAS: Southern Resident Killer Whales in the area
October 16, 2020 10:24 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

10:24 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch for the heads-up: Southern Resident Killer Whales are heading in our direction, southbound off Shilshole at last report. Last time, they turned around before making it this far south, but here’s an early alert just in case they keep going this time.

11:50 AM: Getting closer – see comments.

12:55 PM: Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail called with an update – still southbound but slowly, off Bainbridge.

1:42 PM: Donna just called again to say the orcas are rounding Alki Point! Kersti says they’re from J-Pod.

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ORCAS: Southern Resident Killer Whales were headed this way – for a while
October 5, 2020 11:31 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:31 AM: Early heads-up for potential whale-watching – from shore! visibility’s improving, too – today: Kersti Muul reports Southern Resident Killer Whales from J-Pod are headed southbound toward central Puget Sound, seen this morning off Edmonds. This is the time of year the resident orcas often swim this far south, seeking salmon. J-Pod, as announced recently, is the group with two newborns, too. Let us know if you see them.

2:56 PM: Texter says they’re still southbound, “spread out midchannel off the north end of Golden Gardens.”

4:28 PM: Kersti says via a comment below that they’ve turned back north.

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ORCAS: Another birth for Southern Resident Killer Whales
September 25, 2020 2:48 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales have another new calf. The news comes from the Center for Whale Research, which announced just three weeks ago that a newborn had arrived in J-Pod – same group in which this one was born. The new mother is 15-year-old J41, whose first calf was born five years ago. The announcement notes, “CWR will eagerly await the whales’ return to evaluate the calf’s condition and hopefully determine its sex. … We will reserve its alpha-numeric designation until it proves to be healthy when the pod returns to Salish Sea waters. Approximately 40% of newborn calves do not survive their neonatal first few weeks.” CWR recently announced that J-Pod’s first newborn of the month, J57, is male.

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ORCA BABY: Researchers’ first look at J57, newborn Southern Resident Killer Whale
September 6, 2020 9:10 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Photo: Center for Whale Research / Permit #21238 / WhaleResearch.com)

If we see the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales sometime soon here in central Puget Sound, look – from shore – for that new little one, J57. The Center for Whale Research has published its announcement about seeing the new calf (first reported by Lynda Mapes in The Seattle Times), accompanied by researchers’ photos (which we are republishing with permission).

(Photo: Center for Whale Research / Permit #21238 / WhaleResearch.com)

CWR believes Friday is the day J35 – at right, above, with the new baby and J47 – gave birth. Their researchers saw the newborn on Saturday in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. J35 is also known as Tahlequah, who broke hearts around the world two years ago by carrying her dead calf on her head for 1,000 miles before finally letting it go. Researchers knew she was pregnant again – orca gestation is 18 months – but she had not yet given birth as of researchers’ sightings in Haro Strait last Tuesday and Thursday, when they also saw the other expectant J-Pod orca, J41. In the Saturday sighting, CWR reports, the “new calf appeared healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother in its second day of free-swimming life.”

(Photo: Center for Whale Research / Permit #21238 / WhaleResearch.com)

CWR’s announcement adds, “We hope this calf is a success story. Regrettably, with the whales having so much nutritional stress in recent years, a large percentage of pregnancies fail, and there is about a 40% mortality for young calves.” For now, though, the SRKWs number 73, and advocates are hoping for a reduction in other stresses such as boat noise (we reported earlier this week on the request that U.S. whale-watching boats pledge to join their Canadian counterparts in not following the SRKWs).​

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ORCAS: Advocates ask commercial whale-watching boat operators to pledge to keep their distance
September 2, 2020 10:54 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife | WS Health Club/ex-Athletic Club/ex-Allstar Fitness

(Southern Residents J56 and J31, photo by researcher Mark Sears, permit #21348)

The orcas we’ve been seeing in local waters lately are transient killer whales, but the Southern Residents are expected soon. When they get here, some advocates want to be sure they’re not hounded by whale-watching boats – especially considering three of the endangered whales are pregnant. Today those advocates, including West Seattle-based The Whale Trail, are issuing a challenge to whale-watching operators to take this pledge:

On behalf of my company, I pledge to increase protection for the Southern Resident orcas and give the pregnant orcas in all three pods the best possible chance of having healthy calves, by giving them more space and quieter waters to find food and communicate with each other. Between now and September 2021:

• We will stay 1/2 nautical mile (1,000 yards) away from the southern residents.

• We will focus our tours on other ecotypes of killer whales and other wildlife, and will not intentionally plan or route trips to view them.

• If we encounter southern residents incidentally while viewing other whales, we will slow down (as Washington State law requires) to reduce our vessel noise, but will not approach or follow them.

• If we encounter southern residents incidentally while in transit, we will slow down (as State law requires) and not approach or intentionally follow them while continuing to transit. If it is unsafe to maintain a 1/2 nautical mile distance while transiting we will maintain the distances required by State law.

See the full letter here. The problems caused by noise, particularly from whale-watching vessels, was discussed at The Whale Trail’s February meeting – more than 100 operating in the region, morning through night. The Southern Resident population is down to 72, barely above its historic low, and advocates fear that further losses could put this species on an irreversible path to extinction.

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WHALES: Transient orcas in view again today
September 1, 2020 11:08 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:08 AM: Right around sunset last night, transient orcas were headed this way again. This morning, Kersti Muul tells us they’re back in the area, seen southbound, north of Blake Island, within the past half hour. Let us know if you see them!

11:58 AM: Thanks for the updates in comments! We also got a text from Jay reporting that they’re off Dilworth (Vashon), still southbound.

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WHALES! Orcas off West Seattle (PHOTOS ADDED)
August 29, 2020 1:38 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

(Added: Photo by Stewart L.)

1:38 PM: Orcas are off Constellation Patk, southbound, fairly close to shore, Kersti Muul reports. Let us know if you see them!

2:16 PM: Kersti says they’re now passing Lowman Beach.

2:40 PM: And now, she reports, approaching The Arroyos.

10:50 PM: Tonight Kersti sent some of her photos from the visit, including the scene discussed in the comments – standup paddleboarders who got an incredibly close view:

Kersti followed along by land as the orcas headed south and says they dove for 10 minutes at a time, and the boarders just happened to be there.

She says the passing orcas were T137A (male) and T137B (female) – brother and sister. She adds, “T137A has fully recovered from a horrendous injury he had last year near his tail. It was a big gash that was most likely from a sea lion. He was unable to hunt for himself and he lagged behind his family as they helped him. I’m always happy to see him!”

The T’s are transient orcas, who, unlike the residents, eat sea lions and other marine mammals as well as fish.

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WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Humpback in our area
August 24, 2020 9:37 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks for the tips! A humpback whale is in our area this morning, in Elliott Bay off Luna/Anchor Park. Kersti Muul says it’s traveling southwestward. If you haven’t seen one before. here’s the species-ID page on The Whale Trail‘s website.

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WHALE ALERT: Orcas passing West Seattle
August 17, 2020 10:59 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Added: Photo by Danny McMillin)

Transient killer whales are back in our area! Kersti Muul sends word they’re southbound, off Alki Point right now.

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UPDATE: Orcas in our area
August 12, 2020 11:18 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:18 AM: The photo and report are from Kersti Muul: Orcas southbound off south Bainbridge Island, so they could be visible off west-facing West Seattle with binoculars. Let us know if you see them!

3:39 PM: Now they’re northbound, says Kersti – most recently reported between Blake and Bainbridge Islands.

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PHOTOS: Orcas off West Seattle
August 8, 2020 11:14 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:14 AM: Transient orcas are back in the area and heading this way. Kersti Muul says they are southbound off North Bainbridge, toward the west side of the channel, so you’ll need binoculars to look for them.

1:31 PM: Update from Kersti – the orcas are in Elliott Bay, between West Point and Alki, headed southwest as of about 15 minutes ago – “long, long down times.”

4:41 PM: Thanks to Jamie Kinney for the above three photos, from the orcas’ pass by Constellation Park. (added) And thanks to Dan Ciske for the photo below, showing a research boat with the orcas (which were off The Arroyos, still southbound, at last report).

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WHALES! Orcas heading our way
August 6, 2020 1:28 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the report – transient orcas are southbound off Eagle Harbor (Bainbridge Island), “more east in the channel.” Let us know if you see them!

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WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas in Elliott Bay
July 30, 2020 6:10 pm
|    Comments Off on WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas in Elliott Bay
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for the tip – she says Orca Network is reporting whales in Elliott Bay! Let us know if you see them.

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ORCA TALK: The Whale Trail’s first online presentation Thursday
July 27, 2020 2:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | Whales

(2002 photo by Mark Sears)

Just announced by The Whale Trail executive director Donna Sandstrom:

We’re hosting our first virtual Orca Talk! We think the world needs a hopeful story right now. What better story than Springer’s?

Springer (A73) is an orphaned orca who was spotted near Seattle in January 2002—lost, alone, and 300 miles away from home. Six months later she was rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to her pod. Today she is thriving, tending her two calves.It’s the first—and so far only—successful orca rehabilitation and reunion in history.

Please join us for a special Zoom presentation of Springer’s story, as told by members of her team. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion/Q&A. Panelists will include Bob Lohn, Joe Scordino, Kathy Fletcher, Suzie Hall (OrcaLab), and others. Prepare to be inspired!

What: Celebrate Springer 2020! Presentation and Q&A
When: Thursday, July 30th, 7 PM to 8:15 PM PST
Cost: Free! (Donations gladly accepted.)

Preregistration is required. Sign up here.

After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Space is limited – sign up now!

(2018 photo by Caitlin Birdsall, OceanWise)

P.S. Springer, Spirit and Storm recently returned to Johnstone Strait and were filmed at the rubbing beaches by OrcaLab on Explore.org. Watch a clip here and live cameras here.

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WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas passing West Seattle again
July 21, 2020 1:58 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip! She says transient orcas are off West Seattle again, this time headed northeast, between here and mid-Blake Island. Let us know if you see them!

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ORCAS: Evening whale-watching from West Seattle
July 15, 2020 6:12 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Added 8:57 pm, photo by Jamie Kinney)

6:12 PM: Thanks to Jay for the tip! He says orcas just passed Dilworth on Vashon Island’s eastern shore, northbound, so they could be visible soon from west-facing West Seattle.

7:02 PM: Eastbound – toward West Seattle! – in the Fauntleroy ferry lanes, says Kersti Muul.

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WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas in the area again
July 13, 2020 3:21 pm
|    Comments Off on WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas in the area again
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Orcas are visible off West Seattle again – heading northbound along the east side of Blake Island at last report. Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip!

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WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas, southbound
July 11, 2020 2:21 pm
|    Comments Off on WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas, southbound
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip! Orcas are in the area again, just seen southbound off Blakely Rock, across the Sound from Alki. Let us know if you see them!

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WHALE-WATCHING: Transient orcas in the area again
July 6, 2020 11:37 am
|    Comments Off on WHALE-WATCHING: Transient orcas in the area again
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Transient orcas, seen in the area a few days ago. are back – reported off Fay Bainbridge State Park and heading southwest about an hour ago, so you’d definitely need binoculars, but this is a heads-up to be on the lookout. (Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip!)

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WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas in Elliott Bay
July 3, 2020 1:48 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Thanks to David Hutchinson for sending photos from orcas’ visit to Elliott Bay on Thursday evening.

These were transient orcas, not the Southern Residents.

Unlike the resident whales, transients’ food sources include other mammals – seals, sea lions, even other whales.

David’s photos were taken from Duwamish Head and the Alki promenade.

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