1/3 Triton, ailing orcas, SJ Islands Monument, heavy weather, Big One, Zinke's farewell, Peninsula media

Oregon hairy triton [Ed Bierman/Flickr]

Oregon hairy triton Fusitriton oregonensis
The Oregon hairy triton is a species of large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cymatiidae. The snail was given its specific name oregonensis (meaning "of Oregon") to honor the Oregon Territory by conchologist John Howard Redfield in 1846. The Oregon hairy triton was declared the state seashell of Oregon in 1989 by the 65th Legislative Assembly. (Wikipedia)

Two more Puget Sound orcas predicted to die in critically endangered population
Two more orcas are ailing and probably will be dead by summer, according to the region’s expert on the demographics of the critically endangered southern residents. Ken Balcomb, founding director of the Center for Whale Research, said photos taken of J17 on New Year’s Eve showed the 42-year-old female has so-called peanut head, a misshapen head and neck caused by starvation. In addition K25, a 27-year-old male, is failing, also from lack of sufficient food. He lost his mother, K13, in 2017 and is not successfully foraging on his own.... The southern resident population is at a 35-year low after three deaths this past year in four months. There are only 74 left. “I am going to stop counting at 70,” Balcomb said. “What is the point?” Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Comment Deadline 1/3/19 San Juan Islands National Monument
Send your comments (email blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov) on the National Monument Management Plan by close-of-business today. Talk about how you'd like your favorites spots managed in the years ahead. There's lots more information about all the Monument's sites and management issues here.  While you're at it, include a request for an extension of the deadline due to the BLM's inability to work with the public during the current government shutdown. (Islanders for the San Juan Islands National Monument)

Weather warnings in effect as more wind, rain and snow set to hit B.C  Pacific frontal system expected to bring heavy rain to South Coast, snowfall elsewhere, high winds on coast. (CBC) 'Wet and windy': Storm with strong winds approaches Western Washington  A storm is expected to hit Western Washington on Thursday, bringing rain and strong winds after a few days of patchy blue skies. Asia Fields reports. (Seattle Times)

Hum near Vancouver Island may help predict next big B.C. earthquake
There has not been a major earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone since 1700. But every year or so, there is a month-long ‘slow slip’ of tectonic plates. Joseph Brean reports. (Canadian Post)

Zinke's Handwritten Resignation Note: A Bear To Read, A Bone To Critics
Outgoing Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke entered office on a horse and left via a resignation note he wrote in thick red strokes. He posted a photo of that resignation on Twitter, and an avalanche of criticism soon followed from readers who assailed his penmanship, ethics and industry-friendly track record while managing 500 million acres of public lands. Zinke’s letter was barely legible, but he typed out his missive as well: “It’s been a high honor to serve the President and the American People as Interior Secretary. We’ve restored public lands “for the benefit & enjoyment of the people,” improved public access and shall never be held hostage again for our energy needs. God bless America and those who defend her.” One commenter on Twitter wondered, “Only coloring markers and crayons available in this administration?”  Daniella Cheslow reports. (NPR)

New book details Peninsula media history
A history of Clallam and Jefferson counties as seen through the eyes of those who wrote it is offered in retired journalist Bill Lindstrom’s newly published book, “Strait Press: A History Of News Media On The North Olympic Peninsula.”... Lindstrom, a working reporter and editor from 1960-2013 and news editor of Peninsula Daily News in Port Angeles from 2000-2001, will host a book-signing event from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sequim Museum and Arts, 175 W. Cedar St. Paul Gottlieb reports. (Peninsula Daily News)


Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  251 AM PST Thu Jan 3 2019   
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING 
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH  FRIDAY AFTERNOON   
TODAY  S wind 25 to 35 kt. Combined seas 11 to 13 ft with a  dominant period of 14 seconds. Rain. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell  13 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.


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