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White-tailed ptarmigan Lagopus leucura
White-tailed ptarmigan [Timo Mitzen]
White-tailed Ptarmigan are small, tubby grouse, snow-white in winter and
twig-brown in summer. They’re famous for being virtually invisible when
they stand still against the windswept rocks, low shrubs, and snowbanks
of their high-mountain habitat. They nest above timberline in the
alpine tundra of western mountains, and are the only birds in North
America that spend their entire life cycle in these very high
elevations. Their feathered feet and dense plumage enable them to walk
on top of snow and even roost inside snowbanks. (All About Birds)
Today's top story in Salish Current: Behind closed doors, Part 2: Port of Bellingham and its contractors
Northwest just finished warmest fall on record, scientists report
Across the Northwest, a record warm fall and lack of snowpack going into
the winter is putting more drought pressure on Oregon, Idaho,
Washington and western Montana. Despite record rain in western
Washington recently, and earlier this year in central and southern
Oregon, the showers are filling up already overdrawn reservoirs in many
areas. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Washington State Standard)
WA flooding among the 'most devastating' natural disasters in state history
Gov. Bob Ferguson told Washingtonians to brace for a lengthy recovery,
and announced $3.5 million in state assistance for short-term needs such
as groceries and hotel stays. (KNKX)
DOE orders WA coal plant to continue operating despite state ban
The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order Tuesday
evening directing power generation company TransAlta to continue
operating a coal plant in Centralia, despite a state law that requires
utilities in Washington to stop using coal for power generation
beginning next year. The state’s last coal plant was scheduled to close
at the end of this year and Puget Sound Energy, which had bought
coal-fired electricity from the plant, had agreed to convert the plant
to burn natural gas. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)
‘Extremely offensive’: B.C. premier’s plans to change Indigenous Rights law met with frustration
If the Declaration Act was a milestone for reconciliation, how could
Premier David Eby’s amendments change B.C.’s relationship with First
Nations? Here’s what you need to know. Shannon Waters and Matt Simmons
explain. (The Narwhale)
Major conservation of B.C. forestry land totalling 45,000 hectares announced
The Nature Conservancy of Canada says it has reached an agreement with
the federal and British Columbia governments as well as other private
and public sector partners to conserve 45,000 hectares, or 450 square
kilometres, of timberland in the province. (Canadian Press)
Democracy Watch
- Coast Guard enacts policy calling swastikas, nooses ‘potentially divisive’ (Washington Post)
- Hegseth Declines to Show Lawmakers Boat Strike Video (NY Times)
- Trump expands travel ban to 39 countries after shooting of Guard members (Washington Post)
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West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 449 PM PST Tue Dec 16 2025
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING
WED W wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft, subsiding to 7 to 10 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: W 13 ft at 11 seconds and SW 2 ft at 11 seconds. Showers in the morning, then rain in the afternoon.
WED NIGHT S wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: S 3 ft at 4 seconds and W 8 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.
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