PHOTOS: Orcas off West Seattle

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).

5 Replies to "PHOTOS: Orcas off West Seattle"

  • JohnW August 8, 2020 (2:30 pm)

    Do the transient orcas show up because of seal pups?  Or maybe more seals because the salmon runs increase the availability of marine mammals for food?

  • Dan August 8, 2020 (2:41 pm)

    Going south of Alki now.  One lone bull much earlier, followed by a small pod mid-channel

  • Jamie August 8, 2020 (4:12 pm)

    Saw a group of seven that were heading from Alki near Constellation Park towards Vashon.https://www.coccoloba.org/Jamie/Wildlife-Photography/August-8-2020-Orcas/

    • WSB August 8, 2020 (4:18 pm)

      Thanks! Just got a text that they’re passing The Arroyos.

  • Kersti Muul August 8, 2020 (5:06 pm)

    They have been eating a lot of harbor porpoise. They definitely are aware of the food web flux

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