8/12 Turkey vulture, Fraser R sockeye, Big Pipe projects, Haida Gwaii lodge, Pt Roberts relief

 

Turkey vulture [Charles J Sharp/WikiMedia]

Turkey vulture Cathartes aura
A familiar sight in the sky over much of North America is the dark, long-winged form of the Turkey Vulture, soaring high over the landscape. Most birds are believed to have a very poor sense of smell, but the Turkey Vulture is an exception, apparently able to find carrion by odor. (Audubon)

'Quite dire': Fraser River sockeye salmon run expected to be worst ever recorded
This year is shaping up to be the worst for sockeye salmon in the Fraser River since tracking began in 1893, according to the Pacific Salmon Commission. The expected run has been downgraded to less than a third of pre-season forecasts, and unusually high water levels on the river have made for a challenging migration for early-season sockeye. In addition, the Big Bar landslide north of Lillooet, which wasn't discovered until June 2019, poses a further challenge for the fish, making a section of the migration route nearly impassible. Rafferty Baker reports. (CBC) See also: With record-low salmon returning this year to Fraser River, B.C. fishers face tough times  Greg Rasmussen reports. (CBC)

Trans Mountain, Coastal GasLink, Keystone XL: where things stand with Canada’s pipeline projects
Amid legal hurdles in the U.S. and continued opposition from First Nations, the federal government is doubling down on its vow to do whatever it takes to get key oil and gas pipelines built. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Queen Charlotte Lodge closes for the year after B.C. bans non-essential travel to Haida Gwaii
The Queen Charlotte Lodge, a luxury fishing lodge off B.C.'s north coast, is shutting down operations for the rest of the year to comply with an order from the provincial government banning non-essential travel to the Haida Gwaii archipelago. The lodge had only been open for three weeks; typically, it would continue to operate into September. The early closure comes with significant financial losses for the company, and for owner and president Paul Clough. More than 150 people have been laid off, and Clough said they will eventually lay off 25 office and clerical staff. (CBC)

Top Washington lawmakers ask for border exemption between Canada and small Whatcom County town
Both of Washington's US Senators and two members of Congress are pushing for changes for the residents of an isolated Whatcom County town. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, along with Representatives Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen have asked the US Ambassador to Canada to ask for a border exemption for residents of Point Roberts, Washington. Chris Daniels reports. (KING)

Now, your tug weather--West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  154 AM PDT Wed Aug 12 2020   
TODAY  SW wind to 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Wind waves  2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds. TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt easing to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after midnight. W  swell 4 ft at 10 seconds.

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