3/20 Chocolate lily, brain damaged birds, whale songs, iceberg, Billy Frank Jr. statue, first 100 days

Chocolate lily

Chocolate lily Fritillaria affinis
The chocolate lily is a highly variable species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae native to western North America. Its habitat includes oak or pine scrub or open woods and thickets near the coast. It prefers low to mid-elevation, shade or part shade, dry summer dormancy, and good drainage. The roots or bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked. Historically, the bulbs of this plant were eaten steamed by Salish Native American peoples. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: The paradox of plastic

Plastic Meals Leave Seabirds with Brain Damage
Sable shearwater chicks are developing Alzheimer’s-like symptoms and other hidden health impacts. Patrick Greenfield reports. (bioGraphic/The Guardian)

Northwest research reveals some whales avoid detection from predators by keeping their songs reeaaal low
New research from University of Washington marine scientist Trevor Branch has revealed a defense mechanism some baleen whales appear to use to protect themselves against attack. They’ve evolved to become baritones — essentially the Paul Robesons of the whale world — they sing really, really low. Jes Burns reports. (OPB)

A huge iceberg broke off Antarctica. What scientists found under it startled them.
Crustaceans, snails, worms and fish are among the dozens of creatures that deep-sea explorers discovered under a massive Antarctic ice shelf. Dino Grandoni reports. (Washington Post)

Billy Frank Jr. statue brings modern representation to U.S. Capitol
Washington state is sending a statue of an Indigenous activist it arrested more than 50 times to the Halls of Congress. The statue of Billy Frank Jr. will be the first contemporary depiction of an Indigenous person in National Statuary Hall, since Oklahoma put a statue of movie star Will Rogers there in 1939. Freddy Monares reports. (KNKX)

The First 100 Days

• A list of the Social Security offices across the US expected to close this year (Associated Press)
  
• As Trump attacks DEI, UC bans ‘diversity statements’ in faculty hiring (LA Times)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  204 AM PDT Thu Mar 20 2025   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming S 15 to 20 kt late this  morning and afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: S 3 ft at  4 seconds, SW 6 ft at 11 seconds and W 5 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.  
TONIGHT  S wind 20 to 25 kt, veering to SW after midnight. Seas  6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 4 seconds and W 8 ft at  13 seconds. Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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