7/27 Blue dasher, wildfire smoke, Rock Bay land, BC ferries, Storm Petrel, Swiftsure, gray whale, pathogens on plastic

Blue dasher [Lea Maimone/WikiCommons]

 

Blue dasher Pachydiplax longipennis
The blue dasher  is a dragonfly of the skimmer family. It is the only species in the genus Pachydiplax. It is very common and widely distributed through North America and into the Bahamas, and is found in many types of habitats of some kind of body of water, like a stream, river, or lake. (Wikipedia)

Wildfire smoke drifting into Western Washington from Canada amid heat wave
If a heat wave wasn't enough, here's another good reason to try to stay indoors today — smoke from a wildfire in British Columbia is now drifting south toward parts of Western Washington. The smoke is already drifting into Whatcom County, but Canadian forecasters say some smoke could reach as far south as Olympia by this evening. john Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Air quality advisory issued for eastern Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley
Metro Vancouver says ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to remain high for several days (CBC)

First Nations officially take over B.C. Hydro lands in Rock Bay
The chiefs of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations made official the purchase of 4.5 acres of their traditional lands in Rock Bay from B.C. Hydro on Tuesday, a land sale decades in the making. It started with conversations the chiefs’ late uncles, former Songhees chief Robert Sam and former Esquimalt chief Andy Thomas, had with B.C. Hydro years ago. Andrew Duffy reports. (Times Colonist)

Gulf Islands ferry cancellations linked to lack of affordable housing for ferry workers
Officials on Salt Spring Island and Quadra Island are concerned about ferry service, with each pointing out the need for affordable housing for ferry crew members. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

NOAA christens newest research vessel
A year after it was delivered to the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, the 52-foot RV Storm Petrel was christened at the La Push Marina. The Storm Petrel replaces the 38-foot RV Tatoosh, which the sanctuary acquired in 1994. It was designed by Teknicraft in New Zealand and built by All American Marine in Bellingham. Brian Gawley reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Puget Sound Express launches new 149-seat whale-watching vessel
Whale-watching company Puget Sound Express has launched a new, custom-designed vessel – the M.V. Swiftsure – that will operate out of its Edmonds location. Designed by Teknicraft and built by All American Marine, Inc. in Bellingham, the larger 77-foot Swiftsure was modeled after M.V. Saratoga, which was launched in spring 2018. (MyEdmondsNews)

Scientists: Gray whale spotted at Mukilteo waterfront was a newcomer
The whale has lingered around Possession Sound. It’s unclear if it will join a group of regular visitors known as the Sounders. Ellen Dennis reports.

Human Pathogens Are Hitching a Ride on Floating Plastic
Studies show that various human pathogens cling to microplastics in seawater. Michael Allen reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  235 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022   
TODAY  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds.

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