11/12 Crabapple, orca hunt, earthquake lab closing, democracy watch

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Pacific Crabapple [Native Plants PNW]

Pacific Crabapple Malus fusca
Pacific Crabapple is also known as Oregon Crabapple.  It is found from southern Alaska to northern California, along the coast on the west side of the Cascade Mountains. The small, pome fruits begin to ripen in August and September, but may hang on the tree through winter.Most coastal natives ate the tart crabapples.  They were eaten either raw or after a storage period, after which they become softer and sweeter.  (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Water recognizes no border

Boaters witness epic orca hunt and rescue a seal in Puget Sound
A seal pursued by a Bigg's orca escaped by jumping into a boat where photographer Charvet Drucker caught the action. Jennifer King reports. (KOMO) 

This lab is key for tracking deadly waves. Its sensors are about to go offline.
After NOAA ceased funding to the lab that’s been monitoring seismic activity for more than 25 years, nine stations tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes for the agency will go offline by the end of the month. Ruby Mellen reports. (Washington Post) 

Democracy Watch

• Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with shutdown potentially near an end (AP) 
• Democrats see backlash to Trump ripple through WA races (Seattle Times) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  229 PM PST Tue Nov 11 2025    
WED  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds and W  6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
WED NIGHT  E wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  4 ft at 4 seconds and W 5 ft at 12 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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