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| Raccoon [Wikipedia] |
Raccoon Procyon lotor
Raccoons are a common sight in much of Washington, often drawn to urban areas by food supplied by humans. As long as raccoons are kept out of human homes, not cornered, and not treated as pets, they are not dangerous. Because their hind legs are longer than the front legs, raccoons have a hunched appearance when they walk or run. A raccoon in the wild will probably weigh less than the urbanized raccoon that has learned to live on handouts, pet food, and garbage-can leftovers. (WDFW)
Today's top story in Salish Current: Bellingham celebrates Pride with parade, entertainment
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Reader Don Norman comments on last week's Yellow-rumped Warbler
profile: "Yellow-rumped warblers are associated with the coastal shrub
wax myrtle in the winter, eating their caloric rich winter berries,
making them one of the most abundant wintering warblers in the US, on
the east coast associated with Morella cerifera, on the west coast with
Morella california. To birders they are know as 'butter butts'"
US cancels automatic protections for imperiled animals as critics warn of extinctions
The U.S. Interior Department on Friday canceled a rule meant to
protect plants and animals that are determined to be threatened with
extinction, the latest step by President Donald Trump’s administration
to dismantle key provisions of the landmark Endangered Species Act at
the behest of industry. Instead of receiving automatic protections,
imperiled species will need individualized protection plans once they
are added to the threatened species list. That’s a potentially lengthy
process in which companies could seek exemptions for oil and gas
drilling, mining and other development where those species live. Matthew
Brown reports.(Associated Press)
‘Industrial sacrifice zone’: the plan to bring oil supertankers to the mouth of the Fraser River
As governments look to expand Roberts Bank, scientists warn one of
Canada's most important ecosystems for salmon, southern resident killer
whales and migratory birds could pay the price. Shannon Waters reports.
(The Narwhal)
El Niño is here, and it’s already looking like it could be 'mind-blowing'
In order to be considered an El Niño, temperatures in that zone
need to be 0.5 C above the average. Ocean temperatures are now close to 2
C above average. And we're not even close to the peak yet. This is the
warmest on record that region has ever been at this time of year. Nicole
Mortillaro reports. (CBC)
B.C. wildfire tally surges past 100 as barrage of lightning strikes transforms fire season in a flash
Two-thirds of fires in province are out of control, mostly in southern Interior. (Canadian Press)
Wildfire smoke to roll into Western WA; highs over 90
Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia is expected to drift into
Western Washington this week, when temperatures are likely to climb into
the mid-80s and even the mid-90s in some areas. Lulu Ramadan reports. (Seattle Times)
Bacteria closes several beaches across Puget Sound area
King County Health Department says the beaches are closed due to
high levels of bacteria in water, likely caused by fecal matter from
people, pets, or wildlife. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach was one of those
beaches; high bacteria levels have also prompted closures at Houghton
Beach in Kirkland, Mount Baker in Seattle, and Salt Creek near Port
Angeles. Heather Bosch reports. (KIRO)
Democracy Watch
- DHS boss Mullin warns of possible prosecution for election officials over voter roll access (AP)
- Federal agents were told FBI will no longer investigate ICE confrontations (NY Times)
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 143 PM PDT Sun Jul 19 2026
MON E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds.
