PHOTOS, VIDEO: Orcas off West Seattle, from Seola to Elliott Bay

2:10 PM: Thanks for the tips! Orcas have been making their way north, in view from west-facing West Seattle. Most recently, Kersti Muul tells us, they’re passing the south end of Blake Island.

2:15 PM: Added above, an anonymous reader’s photo of two of the male orcas as seen off southernmost West Seattle.

2:53 PM: Passing Alki Point, per message from Mike.

3:50 PM: Some have gone into Elliott Bay, per comments below.

10:15 PM: Thanks to Robin Sinner for sending the photo below: “Got a spy hop at 3:37 pm from Anchor Park”:

ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: Thanks to Alex W for sending this video:

Kersti Muul December 6, 2023 (2:53 pm)

Just rounded Alki point, east in channel – males still traveling close together0245

Gay December 6, 2023 (4:27 pm)

”Close together”. That is so nice. OMG these beings. Makes me cry.

Kersti Muul December 6, 2023 (3:08 pm)

At least one group is heading east now into the bay, on Magnolia side0305

Gay December 6, 2023 (4:28 pm)

Thank you! You are so wonderful to share all of this.

anonyme December 6, 2023 (3:27 pm)

Do we know who they are? The dorsals seem distinctive. Or are they transients?

Kersti Muul December 6, 2023 (9:17 pm)

Yes transient killer whales a few different groups
pnwopsphotography December 7, 2023 (7:59 am)

The two groups that past Alki were members of the T099s and T109A2s matrilines. They were accompanied by two males: T124C and T049A2 (one of two whales that had been “trapped” in Barnes Lake, Alaska for 6 weeks (starting in mid-August).

Bill December 6, 2023 (3:33 pm)

Straight off Duwamish Head. Looks like 4 or 5, possibly on a kill.

Bill December 6, 2023 (3:42 pm)

Left Duwamish Head going in towards Don Armeni. Follow the photographers if you are looking for them

Kersti Muul December 6, 2023 (4:57 pm)

What an incredible late afternoon into evening with the whales close to shore for almost 2 hours…I was alone off the lighthouse and they passed so close to me, particularly one female. She was about 20 feet away from meAs soon as they went around the lighthouse they immediately head West and disappeared into the mistUrban wildlife is the best ❤️

anonyme December 7, 2023 (4:14 am)

Kersti, what an amazing experience that must have been. Wild things give such depth and meaning to our own lives, just by existing. And yet they don’t ask a thing in return except to be allowed to live.

Froggy December 7, 2023 (6:54 am)

Hey experienced whale-watchers: would you please share your knowledge with those of us who would love to scratch one off their bucket-list. – see a whale in Puget Sound/Elliot Bay from the shores of West Seattle . . . . . What time of day are the whales most active and where is a good spot to hang out, waiting for a glimpse?I am a lifetime West Seattle resident (64 years) who has never had the pleasure of a sighting.

Sarah December 8, 2023 (10:27 am)

Join the Salish Wildlife Watch WhatsApp group. They send out alerts of where whale / big marine life spottings are. That’s how I saw these orcas. The message said they were rounding Alki points so I raced to the beach. The orcas ended up hanging out right off the shore for a while after they came out of Elliott Bay.
Kersti Muul December 13, 2023 (6:49 am)

https://chat.whatsapp.com/CYVEpNDcLBcF4CrjV6F607

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