West Seattle, Washington
22 Monday
(Photo by Dennis Hinton: Gerry Goit finishes clearing channel so spawners coming in under ferry trestle can reach the creek’s mouth)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Saturday’s work party to clear the way for coho spawners to reach the mouth of Fauntleroy Creek was mostly about weeding. A dozen volunteers moved a few drift logs mired in the sand, then turned to addressing beach vegetation chocking the channel. They had the way cleared an hour later but will keep an eye out to make sure it stays open through spawning season.
(Photo by Diana Spence: Fred Fleischmann and fellow volunteers survey magnitude of weeding task)
Salmon Watch 2025 will officially start with the annual drumming on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 4 pm at the house below the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way SW). A few volunteers will get a head start by monitoring Fauntleroy Cove for schooling spawners, then two dozen watchers will begin checking the spawning reach daily.
The first spawners in modern history came into the creek in 1994. Since then, 20 has been typical for this small urban creek. Last year was anything but typical, however, when a record 347 had come in by Nov. 24.
If spawners come in, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council will host a weekend open creek for the general public and we’ll announce it here.
The football game’s over but not too late for a game-day bird gallery! Let’s start with some real-life hawks:
Jerry Simmons photographed those two juvenile Cooper’s Hawks – and this non-juvenile, bathed in sunrise light, too:
Lorabeth Lawson shows us a California Scrub-Jay examining a bogus bird:
Jon Anderson sent this House Finch photo much earlier in the summer, but hey, beauty is timeless:
Look closely for the burst of color from the prey this Great Blue Heron photographed by Gary Jones is holding:
Kim Petram caught a Hummingbird at work:
Even an everyday Gull can look noble in the sunset glow – Theresa Arbow-O’Connor sent this photo:
Big thanks to everyone who kindly shares photos so we can share them with you, from birds to blossoms to breaking news! westseattleblog@gmail.com unless it’s urgent, in which case you can text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Many coyote videos are fairly fleeting. Not this one. It was sent by Jordan, who explains, “We discovered some large animal scat in our small fenced front yard (Friday) morning (and) found that it was a coyote, captured on our security camera around 1 am. We have a small dog and we’re fortunate the coyote wasn’t there when we were out there earlier (that night).” Jordan adds, “We live at the corner of Lander and Walnut, the NE corner of Hiawatha. The back of our house is the Fairmount Ravine.” But coyotes turn up far from greenbelts, too; here’s what you need to know in case you encounter one.
Thanks to everyone for the photos and video! These three sightings were along the Alki shore:
Above and below, Caroline Weeks sent short clips of three otters enjoying breakfast on the rocks Friday.
Near Alki Point Lighthouse, an anonymous texter saw this coyote around 7 am today:
(Read a coyote-coexistence infosheet here.) And though it’s not low-low tide , today’s low tide was enough for this view photographed by Doug Eglington:
That was a -1.9-foot low tide; tomorrow’s lowest tide will be out to -1.6 feet at 12:17 pm.
(Sweat bee on calendula, photo by Rosalie Miller)
Not all bees are created equal. The Washington Bee Atlas‘s mission is to identify and map our state’s wild bees, and they’re looking for more volunteers to join in, You’ll be able to talk with some of them – including West Seattle photographer/gardener Rosalie Miller – this Sunday (August 10) at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor). They’ll be tabling 10 am-2 pm, so you are welcome to drop in at any time during that window. WSN’s announcement invites you to “learn more about local pollinators, how you can get involved, and why wild bees are so important to our ecosystems.” Find out more about the Washington Bee Atlas here.
Two coyote sightings reported to us so far today:
FAUNTLEROY: From an anonymous reader:
Saw a coyote while walking my dogs just before 11:00 this morning. It was behind me on 46th Ave SW and turned up Tillicum once I noticed it and stopped to watch it. A pretty big one — about the size of a German Shepherd.
GATEWOOD: Olivia emailed before 11 am to report, “I just spotted a coyote running around my neighborhood around 36th Ave and Othello Street about ten minutes ago. There are a lot of dogs out today and want to give others a heads up.”
If you’re not sure what to do if you see one – or how to encourage them to keep their distance – here’s an infopage you’ll want to read.
Thanks for sending the photos! It’s a sight you’ll only see every two years – people fishing almost elbow-to-elbow on Lincoln Park‘s north shore, in pursuit of pink salmon. The photo above is from Mike M. today, busier than this scene captured by Steve Pumphrey on Thursday:
The run is an every-other-year phenomenon, and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife says this year’s run is huge:
The 2025 Puget Sound pink salmon forecast is 7.76 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — and predicted to be the third largest total return on record (up from a 2023 forecast of 3.95 million and an actual return of 7.22 million).
Thanks for the photos from today’s low-low tide! The ones above and below are from Rainer Klett.
And the next four are from Rosalie Miller, who included ID’s – first, an Anemone and Ochre Sea Star:
A Painted Anemone:
A Glassy Tubeworm:
And a Moonglow Anemone:
Tomorrow’s low-low tide will be out as far as today’s was, -3.0 feet, at 11:07 am.
As we’ve mentioned, this week brings the final daytime low-low tides of summer. Thanks to Jamie Kinney for the photos from Constellation Park today.
Wednesday and Thursday’s low-low tide will be out to -3.0 feet – 10:20 am Wednesday, 11:07 am Thursday.
Two quick coyote notes while we work on other stories:
A texter sent that photo today from Camp Long, after seeing the coyote “on the west edge, on the path a little bit north of Schurman Rock.” Earlier this week, we had a note from Gay, reporting, “Wanted to let you know that my wife saw a coyote running down Marshall … about 9:30 am. It was heading south toward the greenbelt at the end of the block. Keep your kitties and small dogs inside.” The official advice on coexisting with coyotes is here, and advises encouraging them to keep their distance by not providing any food source, inadvertently or otherwise, from unattended pets to bowls of their food to thrown-out-but-not-secured human food.
This busy summer month’s highlights aren’t all outdoors. This one is about the outdoors – happening inside. You’re invited to the premiere of the film about “beaver detective” Pamela Adams!
Take a journey into the ecosystem of West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek with first public premiere of the film “Freelance Beaver Detective – Tracking Urban Wildlife” on Friday, July 18, 7 PM -9 PM, @ Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
Learn about the local beaver population, and wild endangered coho salmon spawning, through the lens of local WS filmmaker Kay D. Ray, and featuring local beaver detective Pamela Adams, as well as photojournalist Tom Reese, who will be available for post film Q&A.
Tickets by donation. Kids under 18 are free.
We mentioned the film back in January when Adams spoke to the Highland Park Action Committee (WSB coverage here).
Thanks to Gary Jones for the photos from Constellation Park during today’s low-low tide (as noted in our daily highlight list, it was out to -3.7 feet at 12:05 pm. Birds were enjoying it – that’s a Great Blue Heron above, a Gull below:
Also an Osprey:
And a Caspian Tern:
He shared one non-avian wildlife sighting too – a River Otter:
Tomorrow’s lowest tide falls into the low-low category too – -3.1 feet at 12:51 pm Friday.
Glenn emailed with this question:
I wondered if you all had heard of or know of a population of weasels at Lincoln Park or if perhaps someone may have let a pet go. I’ve lived near and run in the park for 23 years now and have never seen one before, but the other day on the beach path one ran across in front of me from the water back towards the wood. It was quite small, short legged, and black in color which is why I believe it to be a weasel species and not a fisher or ferret but I’m no biologist.
And that reminded us of photos DeAnna had sent last month that we hadn’t published. She thought it was a Stoat:
(DeAnna wrote) It was a tiny thing, body not more than about 6” long ( or counting the tail) and was whipping around the logs and rocks near the pool. There was something kind of swim camp going on and the beach was full of kids absolutely oblivious to the menace among them. This is my first sighting of such a critter in my 35 years here.
We checked the archives but have never had a report on this critter in our 17+ years of wildlife coverage, either. Hoping at least one reader will have further enlightenment for us!
On this day celebrating dads, we start our gallery of West Seattle bird photos – all but one sent by readers (thank you!) – with some family views – above, Stewart L. sent the photo of a Canada Goose family afloat. Below, Janelle Otterholt photographed an American Robin and nestlings:
Barred Owlets in Lincoln Park have drawn a lot of attention lately. This photo is from a reader who asked to be anonymous:
Closer-up views were provided by Jamie Kinney, including this one:
And the grownups are interesting too – WSB contributing photojournalist Oliver Hamlin snapped this one:
Also seen in Lincoln Park: Bald Eagles. Mara Jacroux shared this image:
Jerry Simmons saw a Juvenile Bald Eagle with a familiar green-and-white backdrop:
Also from Jerry, an American Goldfinch:
Even the ubiquitous Crow had its moments for photographers in recent weeks. Sarah saw a leucistic – “caramel” – crow in North Fauntleroy:
And Matt Baerwalde caught one posing with a sculpted relative at Cove Park (north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock):
Thanks to everyone who sends bird and other wildlife photos (as well as breaking news, interesting sights, etc.) – westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best mailbox if it’s not urgent!
Two coyote reports, the first with other wildlife involved:
GATEWOOD WILDLIFE: Nathan sent the photo late last night and reports, “Corner of Othello and SW 39th, 11:00 PM, lots of animal noise. The coyote on the left was much bigger than the photo shows, and was aggressively attacking the raccoon on the right. Another raccoon escaped up the hill to the left. The battle ended with everyone alive and frustrated. Does anyone see the bunny by the street sign?”
COYOTE NEAR PELLY PLACE: This report is also from Saturday, via anonymous text: “Coyote spotting. 1 individual, SW Frontenac St and 47th Ave SW.” [map]
Here’s what you need to know about living with coyotes.
Thanks to Mara Jacroux for sharing photos of a river otter having dinner on the beach at Lincoln Park last night.
Mara said some onlookers suggested sending to WSB to share with the community – thank you! If you don’t know much about river otters – who, despite their name, frequent salt-water Puget Sound – check out this fact sheet about coexisting with them.)
If you’d like a chance to do what the Roxhill Elementary student in Fauntleroy Creek salmon-release volunteer John Sturtevant‘s photo is doing – your chance is just three days away. As we look ahead to what’s happening around West Seattle this weekend, this is one of the unique events – a community salmon-release opportunity at the creek, where hundreds of students have been visiting all month to free the fry they’ve been raising at school. On Sunday (June 1), 1 pm-3 pm, enter Fauntleroy Park at the SW Barton entrance and walk to the bridge, where you’ll find Fauntleroy Watershed Council volunteers with a bucket of fish and answers to all your questions – free, all ages!
3:11 PM: Thanks again to Kevin Freitas for a view of Constellation Park as today’s low-low tide bottomed out at -4.1 feet, lowest of the year. Also sending photos was Dawn Roeder, who saw colorful sea life under the Fauntleroy ferry dock:
Tomorrow’s lowest tide is still great for tidepooling – -3.6 feet at 1:08 pm – but the weather is expected to be very different.
ADDED 5:29 PM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo of Luna Park‘s pilings (pointed out on Tuesday by Dave Townsend):
It’s not spring without a Canada Goose baby picture from Alki photographer David Hutchinson, who just sent this one. We also recently received a family pic from Rainer Klett:
Everything you never knew about Canada Geese, you can find here, including the much-cited fact that they mate for life.
(Photo by Javier Fosado)
Thanks for the photos! As noted in our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – because we finally remembered THIS year to check in advance – today is a big day for fishing in the waters off West Seattle. It’s the one-day, four-hour “season” for recreational spot-shrimp fishing, 9 am to 1 pm.
(Photo by Mark Bauschke)
We haven’t been to Don Armeni Boat Ramp for a look but on this day every year it’s usually full of trailers, and the area will be busy once the closing time is past this afternoon. The state says spot shrimp are the largest shrimp in Puget Sound and can grow to nine inches long.
(WSB photos by Anne Higuera unless otherwise credited)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A misty, wet start to low-low tide season did not deter people from flocking to shorelines at midday today to discover sea life left exposed by the receding Sound. South of Lincoln Park, dozens gathered among the towering piers of the ferry dock, forming circles around interesting finds and calling out to friends.
Among them were many beach naturalists trained by the Seattle Aquarium who plan to be at the beach during low tides sharing what they know with friends and curious neighbors whether it’s part of a formal program or not.
Tide-pooling during a low, low tide involves walking a hundred or more yards over sand and seabed that in some areas is exposed only a handful of days a year.
Rubber boots are a good idea, along with looking very carefully where you step. Bigger marine animals like sea stars and sea anemones are easy to spot.
So are the egg collars from Moon Snails, which look a bit like shaped plastic.
The smaller creatures require a keen eye and a little luck. Having someone who can point out a Shaggy Mouse nudibranch (Aeolidia loui) or know that the flat worm wriggling across the wet sand is likely a White Line Ribbon worm makes low tides into educational outings.
It’s also especially exciting to find things like a small Red Octopus biding her time until the tide comes back in. Pat, who took the photo, said the consensus was that this one is a female.
(Photo courtesy Pat Reaville)
There are several organizations in the area (including MAST and the Environmental Science Center) that have beach naturalist programs, but the Seattle Aquarium’s has been the largest, consistently staffing around a dozen locations, including two beaches in West Seattle. The Aquarium is planning to run their program again this year, but doesn’t yet have dates set. “The team tells me we are very close,” said Aquarium spokesperson Tim Kuniholm last week. It’s expected that the Aquarium program will have a significantly shorter list of events this year after layoffs in January. That program and Cedar River Salmon Journey relied on 300+ volunteers, who have been in limbo for a number of months, waiting to hear what’s next. Some have moved on to other opportunities, or just decided they’ll go to the beach no matter what.
Today, a naturalist who was let go in the round of layoffs was holding up a Leather Star to show other former Aquarium volunteers. They are supposed to have a scent similar to garlic, so everyone took a good whiff. She also pointed out a shrimp and other smaller creatures that might otherwise go unnoticed.
In talking with Aquarium volunteers today and others in recent weeks, we heard most express resignation and/or sadness at the changes being made to the naturalist program, but they also are making a point of reaching out to other volunteers to meet up, as they did today. One is even working to organize an informal club — the West Seattle Low Tide All Stars — in part to facilitate meetups between former volunteers on low-tide days.
Today that happened organically, with knowledgeable naturalists just as excited about what they were finding as were kids, families, and others peering into tidepools and wading in the water, trying to take in everything they could see before the tide began to inch back up again.
There is another very low tide tomorrow – -3.4 feet, same as today, just before 1:30 pm.
Two more wildlife sightings (thanks as always for sending them!):
BACKYARD OTTER: From Bill L:
Spotted this guy walking through our yard. First time we’ve noticed any here. We’re a block east of Fauntleroy near the Lincoln Park North parking lot.
As we’ve reported/shown before, river otters (which actually live in the salt water around here) may have dens relatively far inland, so be careful when driving along streets near the water (like Alki Avenue, Beach Drive, and in this case, Fauntleroy Way). Here’s a state fact sheet about them.
SIDEWALK COYOTE: Julia sent this video of a daylight coyote sighting in Sunrise Heights, near 31st/Othello, last Thursday:
Another reader sent a photo of a coyote in what appeared to be the same area of Sunrise Heights, around the same time, and said two others were in the area. Here’s state advice on coexisting with them.
Since our last roundup of daylight coyote sightings in West Seattle, we’ve received three more – first from Britta, reporting a Gatewood sighting after 10:30 am this morning:
Saw this cutie on 36th and Orchard. Just wanted to give a heads-up!
#2 was from a texter on Easter Sunday. We’ll spare you the visuals but their caption, from 46th/Charlestown, was that the coyote was “eating the Easter Bunny.”
Finally, sent by M, last Friday evening:
Coyote sighting on Puget Blvd at 7:30 pm. The Coyote came up our driveway and is the size of a German Shepherd. Snapped a picture of it in our backyard. Look out for your cats!
Now a survey – forwarded to us (with permission) by Kersti Muul:
My name is Sam Kreling and I recently earned my Ph.D. from the University of Washington, where I studied the urban coyote population in the Greater Seattle Area. Through this work, I found that many neighborhoods were struggling to live with various wildlife species from coyotes to squirrels and I am hoping to get a non-profit up and running in the Seattle area that focuses on helping people live with wildlife. This organization would hope to “support harmonious coexistence between people and wildlife by promoting understanding, reducing conflicts, and nurturing healthy urban ecosystems for the benefit of all.” I want to know what YOUR community needs/wants to live with wildlife and what you might want to learn about the wildlife in your neighborhood.
If you’re interested in responding to Sam’s survey, here’s the link.
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