7/30 Decorator crab, Loutsis Cr, kelp, Arctic warmth, salmon conservation

Decorator crab [Dave Cowles/Walla Walla U]

Decorator crab Oregonia gracilis
The decorator crab is fund in intertidal and subtotal zones to a depth of 435 m. I tis most common in shallow habitats with mixed composition bottoms. Its range is from the Bering Sea to Monterey, California, and it is also found in Japan. The crab attaches pieces of algae, sponges, bryozoans, hydroids and other growths to bristle hair on its carapace and legs. (Biodiversity of the Central Coast)

New bridge underway to improve salmon habitat on Loutsis Creek 
Construction crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation are removing an old culvert on Loutsis Creek just south of Duvall on State Route 203, and replacing it with a 15-foot tall arched bridge being billed as the first of its kind on the West Coast. The structure will be built with "super-light" fiberglass forms, which do not require the typical heavy equipment associated with bridge-building. The conversion is expected to be complete on Aug. 26. Bob Kirkpatrick reports. (Wooddinville Weekly)

If you like to watch: Seeing Kelp
Local photographer and naturalist Wendy Feltham has found the beauty in kelp. (Rainshadow Journal)

Wildfires, record warmth and rapidly melting ice: Arctic climate goes further off the rails this summer
The Arctic summer of 2020 is one that has been marked by raging fires in the Far North, with smoke extending more than 1,000 miles downwind, along with alarming new temperature records and ice melt. While rapid Arctic climate change is not exactly news — the region is warming at about three times the rate of the rest of the world — the manifestations of this phenomenon are increasing in severity, scope and societal consequences. Andrew Freedman reports. (Washington Post)

Almost $300K approved for salmon conservation work
Grants to fund projects on Hoh, Dosewallips rivers. (Peninsula Daily News/paywall)



Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  306 AM PDT Thu Jul 30 2020   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  4 ft at 10 seconds.




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