5/25 California poppy, Fairy Cr protest, shellfish harvest, AK cruise ships OK'd, witches cauldron, invasive species

California Poppy [Wikipedia]

 
California Poppy Eschscholzia californica
 In spite of the beauty of its blossom, the California Poppy is considered to be a weed by many people. Native to North America, scattered wild populations of this plant are found in most states. However, since it was first collected on a Russian exploratory voyage to the west coast of North America in the early 19th century, it is likely that most of the eastern populations are the result of seeds and plants brought back from the west, rather than from native populations in those areas. The California Poppy is the state flower of California. (Wildflowers of the US)

More arrests Monday at old-growth logging blockades on Vancouver Island
Mounties say five more people have been arrested on southern Vancouver Island during protests against old-growth logging. Police say 53 people have been arrested in total since an injunction started to be enforced last week. (Canadian Press)

Hoodsport beaches to open for shellfish harvesting for first time in 45 years
The Washington State Department of Health has upgraded its water quality rating for a stretch of tidelands near Hoodsport in southern Hood Canal, certifying that clams and oysters there are now safe to eat. Those beaches have been closed to harvesting for 45 years. They are opening after four years of cleanup efforts, according to the Puget Sound Institute at University of Washington Tacoma. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times) See also: Increase in illegal shellfish harvesting could lead to fatal poisonings, officials fear  Since pandemic began, fisheries officers say they're seeing 3 times as many people harvesting in closed areas. Susana da Silva reports. (CBC)

Biden signs bill opening door for Alaska cruises to resume
President Joe Biden signed into law Monday legislation that opens a door for resumed cruise ship travel to Alaska after the pandemic last year scrapped sailings. The measure pushed by members of Alaska's Republican congressional delegation will allow large cruise ships to sail directly from Washington state to Alaska without stopping in Canada. It is intended as a temporary workaround of a longstanding federal law that requires certain large cruise ships bound for Alaska to stop in Canada or start trips there. Becky Bohrer reports. (Associated Press)

Discovery of rare mushroom in northern B.C. a biology mystery
Witches cauldron is typically found in northern Europe, where it's threatened and in decline. (CBC)

As in a pandemic, the battle against invasive species may well depend on early actions
Chris Dunagan writes: "As Americans, we have become all too familiar with the spread of a deadly virus and the terrible consequences of a delayed response to an outbreak. As a result of our experience, I’m wondering if some of us might have a more visceral sense about the need to control invasive species. I’m not saying that the ecological, economic and cultural disturbances wrought by invasive species are on parr with a massive loss of human life. But the common denominator is a biological perturbation that occurs suddenly and threatens to expand rapidly out of control, leaving permanent damage. The ultimate outcome depends on reaction to the threat." (Puget Sound Institute)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  241 AM PDT Tue May 25 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. A slight chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. A slight  chance of showers in the evening.

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