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Season’s 1st West Seattle seal-pup visit brings urgent reminder
August 9, 2011 10:25 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo courtesy Robin Lindsey)
Seal-pup season has officially begun on West Seattle beaches, with this little one’s visit to Lincoln Park today. Shelley first told us about it; we checked with Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters, and they were of course all over the case (here’s the full story on the Seal Sitters “Blubberblog”). But Robin says the arrival of the pup they dubbed “Tiny” – so little, they believe it was a newborn – brings an urgent reminder: When you spot a pup on the beach, stay as far back as possible, and call Seal Sitters ASAP – 206-905-SEAL. A pup might be scared back into the water if people (or other animals) get too close, and that could be deadly, because its mom, who left it on the beach so she could go find food, might not find the pup again. (There’s already been a dead seal pup near Alki Point, and a dead adult seal along Beach Drive. Robin says Seal Sitters – whose mission has expanded – and NOAA want ALL reports of marine mammals, dead or alive, so whatever you spot, call that hotline, 206-905-SEAL – keep it handy.)

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: Robin says another expert’s evaluation of the photo confirms the suspicion that the pup still had a bit of “umbilicus” attached – so it’s likely no more than a week and a half old, and she thinks it’ll probably turn up on the West Seattle shore again today. PLEASE call if you see it.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Alki outriggers, from above
July 31, 2011 12:51 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Another incredible West Seattle aerial view from Gatewood pilot/photographer Long B. Nguyen – this time, over the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s “Da Grind” racing event during the low-tide Saturday on Alki (our earlier ground coverage is here). Here’s another view – another low tide today, by the way, -2.0 just before noon.

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Happening now: Outrigger-canoe racing brings Hawai’i to Alki
July 30, 2011 12:57 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Outrigger-canoe racing brings Hawai’i to Alki
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

As previewed in this morning’s “West Seattle Saturday” lineup – the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club is on (and off!) Alki Beach today for its annual “Da Grind” race day. They’re running two courses, a 12-mile and a 4-mile; the third wave of racing is scheduled to head out around 2:30 pm.

The first wave had already headed out when we stopped by, but we did get a good view of today’s low tide (-2.1 at about quarter past 11):

No outriggers tomorrow, but the tide will be almost as low, -2.0 just before noon tomorrow.

ADDED: April Long shared more photos (thank you!):

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Update: Tribes’ canoes on the beach at Alki for Tribal Journey
July 20, 2011 1:59 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

1:59 PM: This afternoon on Alki (thanks to Dan for the tip!), the Blue Heron Canoe landed ahead of other tribal canoes that are expected as part of this year’s Tribal Journey, in which Native Americans from all over the Northwest are canoeing to a rendezvous hosted by the Swinomish in the La Conner area of Skagit County. Michael (didahalqid) Evans of the Snohomish skippers the Blue Heron (and can be heard, according to tradition, asking for permission to land). The rest of the Blue Heron’s itinerary is listed on its website. Other canoes are expected at Alki — as reported here, Linda Blackinton shared news of the Samish‘s plans to launch from here tomorrow morning — so if you’d like to see them, keep an eye on the beach (we will too).

5:17 PM UPDATE: Just went back to Alki, and as of around an hour ago, we counted 15 canoes:

Journey participants are all expected to join the Swinomish next Monday.

7:08 PM UPDATE: Alki photographer David Hutchinson shared photos from the canoes’ arrival:

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: While at Alki for a different story early today, we asked the security officer guarding the canoes when they were scheduled to take off. “Between 9 and 10” was his reply.

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Watch for Tribal Journey canoes at Alki Beach this Thursday
July 17, 2011 6:21 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

alkicanoes.jpg

(2008 photo by David Hutchinson)
It’s been a few years since canoes have visited Alki during the annual Tribal Journeys, but it sounds like we can expect a sighting this week. Linda Blackinton (Se-Se-Sa-Such-leetsa) of the Samish Tribe e-mailed to say:

I just found out today, from my brother, that the Samish Tribal Canoes and others, will be leaving Alki Beach (east of the promenade) this Thursday morning, July 21st, at 8:30 a.m. Anyone who wants to come watch them can. I don’t know how many canoes will be there, I only know that is where the Samish are leaving from. Their next stop will be at Suquamish, across the bay, and to the north of Bainbridge. My brother runs his boat as the Support Boat for our tribe, the Samish. Hope you can let everyone know about this.

The Swinomish (headquartered in La Conner) are hosting this year’s Tribal Journey, with landings expected one week from tomorrow.

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Seafair Pirates Landing 2011 at Alki: They’ve landed!
July 9, 2011 1:03 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

1:03 PM: Within the past 15 minutes or so, the Seafair Pirates landed at Alki. Video to come. We’re told Moby Duck will make an appearance later in the day; we also hear the Pirates are planning to be at West Seattle’s Avalon restaurant after 7 pm or so tonight.

2:13 PM: Just added the video!

3:07 PM: And … we’ve added a couple photos too – just before the Pirates stepped off, at the edge of the shore, above; the Seattle Police boat showing off for the crowd, below:

No worries if you missed the Pirates today – they’ll be in the West Seattle Grand Parade exactly two weeks from today, July 23rd, starting in the Admiral District at 11 am and heading south along California SW.

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West Seattle scene: Canoe-building at Lowman Beach
July 6, 2011 2:10 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

These past few brilliantly sunny/warm afternoons, if you visited Lowman Beach north of Lincoln Park, you might have seen Tom hard at work on his canoe. We heard about him from Karl Sutter, who has been watching Tom’s progress. Karl shared the first two photos, explaining that Tom had already been out in his carved canoe – but was adding an outrigger:

Then we stopped by on the 4th of July afternoon, for a firsthand look:

The original canoe even works with a 4-to-6-horsepower motor, and at last report, he was looking for an additional one.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Eagles on the beach
July 3, 2011 12:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife


(Click image for a larger view)
Making a very public West Seattle appearance on the eve of the most patriotic of holidays, it’s our national symbol, the bald eagle, times two, on a stretch of Alki sand revealed as the tide goes out (it’ll be -2.0 at 1:56 pm). Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for sharing the photo!

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One week away: Seafair Pirates Landing – and pancakes – on Alki
July 2, 2011 10:39 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2008 Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki)
While the biggest West Seattle event next weekend is Summer Fest in The Junction (3 days starting Friday), we know a few (thousand) folks will likely duck over to Alki next Saturday to provide a welcoming party for everyone’s favorite marauders, the Seafair Pirates. Saturday, July 9th, is indeed the annual Seafair Pirates Landing, and we hear that there might even be a Moby Duck sighting (you’ll recall their beloved landborne “ship” ran into hard times last fall). The landing itself is between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, per the Pirates’ page – but here’s a good reason to get to the beach long before then (besides securing yourself a better parking/viewing spot): From 7 am till 10 am that same morning, the annual Pirates and Pancakes breakfast fundraiser will be happening at Alki Bathhouse, right in the landing zone. $5 gets you pancakes and coffee or juice, and it’s a benefit for Sports in Schools, which is sponsoring WSB this week to promote the event.

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On festival’s eve, Port of Seattle opens Jack Block Park shoreline
June 24, 2011 8:38 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A long-closed West Seattle beach is open tonight, awash in colorful paddling boats and gear, and exhibitors’ tents, ready for the first-ever Northwest Paddling Festival this weekend. On the festival’s eve, the Port of Seattle‘s official opening of the once-industrial-pollution-tainted Jack Block Park shoreline was celebrated with, not a ribbon-cutting, but a ribbon-untying:

Among those participating, West Seattle paddlesports advocate Greg Whittaker at left, proprietor of Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters and a driving force behind the festival, with Port of Seattle Commissioner Gael Tarleton to his left – with others including the park’s namesake, longtime commissioner Jack Block (Sr.), who was also one of the speakers before the dedication:

Block, who served on the commission 1974-2001, noted that it was a “20-year project” and that he had said a while back, “I hope I live long enough to see this project dedicated.” So tonight, he said triumphantly, “I made it!”

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Second ‘Hands Across the Sand’ on Alki Beach this Saturday
June 22, 2011 11:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2010 ‘Hands Across the Sand’)
Once again this year, “Hands Across the Sand” demonstrations are planned on shorelines around the country, including Alki Beach, where we photographed the inaugural local event a year ago. The Sierra Club says it’s intended “to champion clean energy solutions that will move us beyond oil — and protect our coastal economies and marine wildlife.” Alki’s “Hands Across the Sand” is scheduled for noon this Saturday, just east of Alki Bathhouse; more here.

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West Seattle ‘red’ water followup: What the state says
June 21, 2011 2:13 pm
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 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Monday photo courtesy GW)
The state Ecology Department is talking today about the reddish “bloom” seen in some Puget Sound waters, including ours (here’s yesterday’s WSB report/photos). From their news release (we’ve added an aerial photo they posted to Flickr):

Scientists from the Department of Ecology’s marine monitoring program in a routine overflight of Puget Sound have spotted an extensive reddish bloom in Puget Sound that they suspect is harmless.

It is not the so-called “red tide” that refers to paralytic shellfish poisoning.

The bloom extends from Kingston to Des Moines, and across the Central Basin from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.

Today, they collected water samples they predict will confirm that the bloom is Noctiluca (pronounced “nock-ti-lukah”), a harmless single-celled micro-organism that bioluminesces and occurs normally at this time of year. This kind of plankton does not photosynthesize, but gets its red color from the phytoplankton it eats, a type of nutrition called heterotrophy.

This type of bloom shows up as large, red-brown, even orange “tomato-soup-like” streaks along current and tidal convergence lines, according to Dr. Christopher Krembs of Ecology’s marine monitoring program.

Krembs said the bloom is also accumulating along shores and beaches.

“We are reasonably certain this is Noctiluca, so there is no public health threat,” Krembs said. “As the sun warms the water, the water stratifies, holding the tiny plankton near the surface where they flourish.” …

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West Seattle scenes: Can you solve these low-tide mysteries?
June 18, 2011 10:01 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Eve sent these two photos taken during Friday’s low-low tide, wondering if anyone knows what they are – the first, she said, looked “like plastic” but clearly wasn’t (we also recall seeing the formation in another low-tide photo we had received but not published); the next, she said, looked almost “like red tide”:

Thanks in advance, beach expert(s) who will solve the mystery!

10:24 PM UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has solved the FIRST mystery in the comment section – second one is still a open case.

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West Seattle scenes: Colorful sights revealed at low tide
June 17, 2011 12:50 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Thanks to Jim Clark for sharing Thursday low-tide scenes from south of Alki Point. One more low-low tide awaits, today (Friday) at 12:36 pm (-2.6 feet)

Tides won’t be this low again till late October – and then, it’ll be in the post-midnight wee hours, requiring most likely a light and a coat if you insist on exploring!

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West Seattle weekend scene: Also from Alki …
June 12, 2011 6:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Before we have to get back to all the seriousness, as the new week looms, yet more weekend whimsy: Stacy shared the photo, explaining, “Sunny Sunday fun on Alki today.”

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Sun-basking by day, salsa by night: Summer arrives on Alki
June 4, 2011 10:21 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Statue of Liberty Plaza morphed into a dance floor tonight on Alki, as a long-awaited salsa-dancing celebration finally arrived, to unbelievably perfect weather. Thanks to Debra Herbst for sharing a photo of the fun. (If you missed it, mark your calendar for two weeks from tonight, the second of four Salsa on Alki events scheduled this summer – here’s the Facebook event page.) Earlier, the beach itself grew more crowded as the day moved on toward an eventual high temperature just two degrees short of 80:

That photo is courtesy of David Hutchinson, who also reports that Harbor and Alki Avenues took on the traditional summertime backup, too – he says he was stuck in traffic for 20 minutes just getting between the West Seattle Bridge and Seacrest Pier, so from there, he detoured up to the Admiral District to make it home to Alki without too much further delay. Tomorrow is expected to be a lot like today – sunny, 70s.

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West Seattle scene: Eastside comes west for low tide
June 2, 2011 2:59 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Eastside comes west for low tide
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

As the school year wanes, the school-bus visits to Alki and vicinity increase, for low-tide field trips. Just before noon today, we spotted those six Issaquah School District buses south of Alki Point – they’re way off to the right in our beach photo:

Today’s tide wasn’t nearly as low as last full moon, but still low enough for good exploration, -2.0 – and tomorrow just past 12:30 pm, it’ll be a bit lower, -2.2. But this month’s lowest tides aren’t for two more weeks – June 14-16, we’ll see minus-three-foot tides again. (Here’s our favorite chart.)

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Renton students join Alki Council/Seal Sitters for beach cleanup
May 27, 2011 1:14 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Beach cleanups aren’t just a matter of aesthetics – it could be a matter of life and death for wildlife. That’s why the Alki Community Council and Seal Sitters have a series of volunteer cleanups under way, and David Hutchinson shares photos as well as a report on the latest one, just hours ago:

The second beach clean-up of the season, sponsored by the Alki Community Council and Seal Sitters, took place this morning. Twenty-one volunteers from the Renton High School Choir, led by choir director Lizabeth Diaz, removed litter from the area around the picnic tables in Alki Park, along the beach, and by the fire rings.

These events also provide an educational opportunity for the volunteers. Robin Lindsey, one of the founders of Seal Sitters, briefed the students on local marine mammals and the negative impact of litter and pollutants when they get into the marine environment.

These activities are coordinated through Colleen Hackett of Seattle Parks & Recreation. If you want additional information on how you can become involved, contact Larry Carpenter, of the Alki Community Council, at 206-938-0887.

And of course, it should go without saying .. don’t leave beach trash behind in the first place. Just in case the cans fill up on a long weekend like this, if you’re going to the beach, bring a bag so you can “pack (trash) out” if you need to.

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Followup: Alki Beach cleanup just the first of many
May 16, 2011 10:37 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Tonight, an update from the Alki Community Council on the beach cleanup we checked in on this morning:

The Alki Community Council and Seal Sitters would like to thank those who turned out this morning to help clean Alki Beach.

The day started with a briefing by Kristin Wilkinson [above], NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Expert, on the impact that our litter and trash has on marine life when it gets into Puget Sound. Colleen Hackett, Parks Volunteer Programs Coordinator, then gave us our assignments for the morning. The 29 volunteers, led by a large group from AmeriCorps, picked up trash from the west end of the Park through 54th Place SW. Enough time was available to assist Parks by removing the sand, brought in by this past winter’s storms, from the steps along Alki Avenue.

The Council hopes to coordinate with Seattle Parks & Recreation, local businesses, and community members in an effort to minimize the problem of litter on Alki this coming summer season.

We want to thank Pioneer Coffee, Tully’s, and Starbucks, for their donation of coffee to get our volunteers off to a good start. Thanks to Robin Lindsey, of Seal Sitters, for arranging the talk by Kristin Wilkinson, and also to Larry Carpenter, of the ACC, for coordinating this event with Parks. If you want additional information on how you can become involved, contact Larry at 206-938-0887.

You’re also welcome at the ACC’s next monthly meeting, this Thursday at 7 at Alki UCC Church (6112 SW Hinds).

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Happening now: Clean up Alki Beach, to help wildlife
May 16, 2011 9:54 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Clean up Alki Beach, to help wildlife
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

They gathered at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza right at 9 am – and if you have time to spare between now and noon, they would be happy to have your help too! Volunteers from the Alki Community Council, Seal Sitters and AmeriCorps are part of the effort, aimed at not just a nicer-looking beach, but making sure trash doesn’t get into the water (or elsewhere) to harm wildlife. More information here about who’s supporting the cleanup; if you can spare some time, head over and join in.

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Join Alki Community Council, Seal Sitters for beach cleanup Monday
May 13, 2011 11:16 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

From the Alki Community Council – a chance to lend a hand (or two) this Monday, 9 am-noon:

With the coming of warmer weather, litter seems to sprout from our beaches and parks. This is going to be a particularly bad year, due to the impact of Seattle Parks & Recreation’s recent budget cutbacks on park maintenance. Working together as a community, we can all make a contribution in the effort to keep our parks litter free.

In cooperation with AmeriCorps volunteers, the Alki Community Council and Seal Sitters are co-sponsoring a cleanup of Alki Beach. If you have some free time on Monday morning, you are invited to participate. The litter on our beaches makes its way into Puget Sound and has a negative impact on marine life. Beginning at 9:00 am, Kristin Wilkinson, NOAA NW Stranding Expert, will be briefing us on the hazards that our misplaced trash creates.

Be sure and check the Seal Sitters Blubberblog for more details and a photo of the stomach contents of the Gray Whale that stranded and died on a West Seattle Beach in April of 2010.

We want to thank Pioneer Coffee, Tully’s, and Starbucks for providing coffee. Seattle Parks & Recreation will be supplying the necessary tools and trash bags.

The Alki Community Council has an ongoing volunteer program with Seattle Parks & Recreation. The ACC “Friends of Alki Beach” are responsible for picking up litter in Alki Park between 59th Ave SW and 63rd Ave SW. If you would like more information on this program or the cleanup event on Monday, please contact Larry Carpenter at 206-938-0887.

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West Seattle scene: Volleyball on the beach at sunset
May 5, 2011 3:32 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Volleyball on the beach at sunset
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

On Alki Beach, you can sit and watch the sunset … or you can play and watch the sunset! WSB contributor Stephanie Chacharon shared a scene from the season’s first Wednesday night games involving teams from Underdog Sports Leagues (WSB sponsor), which has “early summer” Monday games too.

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West Seattle scene: Over Alki Point Lighthouse
April 27, 2011 10:38 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news


Remember the warm sunshine back on Saturday? And the movie shoot with Alki standing in for a Florida backdrop? Here’s one more Alki scene from Saturday – West Seattle aerial photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen just sent this Alki Point Lighthouse aerial, inviting us to share it with you, and given the fact the weather’s done a 180 since then, it’s a welcome sight. (Click the photo, or this link, to see a larger version.)

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