7/5 Thistle, Canada's climate change toll, TM pipe, Tokitae activist, ferrry woes, Lincoln Theatre, shoreline armor, beach eggs, Bill Nye

Bull Thistle

Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare
Bull thistle is a biennial herbaceous plant growing between 3 to 7 feet tall with one upright branched stem. It grows a rosette (cluster of radiating leaves at plant base) in its first year and blooms in its second year. Bull thistle may outcompete native plants and desirable wildlife and livestock forage plants. It can invade most any disturbed habitat and grow in dense thickets. Hay price may decline with the presence of bull thistle. (WA Noxious Weed Control Board)

Canada offers lesson in the economic toll of climate change
Canada’s wildfires have burned 20 million acres, blanketed Canadian and U.S. cities with smoke and raised health concerns on both sides of the border, with no end in sight. The toll on the Canadian economy is only beginning to sink in...“It’s come on faster than we thought, even informed people,” said Dave Sawyer, principal economist at the Canadian Climate Institute. “You couldn’t model this out if you tried. We’ve always been concerned about this escalation of damages, but seeing it happen is so stark.” Lydia DePillis reports. (NY Times)

Trans Mountain pipeline expansion likely to send more Canadian oil to US, not Asia
The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) was meant to unlock Asian markets for Canadian oil, but analysts and traders said those barrels now will probably land on the U.S. West Coast as Asia gobbles up Russian oil that is cheaper due to sanctions from Western countries after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Mia Williams reports. (Reuters)

Activist facing lawsuit over social media videos showcasing Tokitae
An animal activist is facing a lawsuit after drone videos were posted along with descriptions of concerns about the condition of Tokitae, an orca originally captured in the Pacific Northwest before living more than 50 years in captivity. "They don’t like me," said Phil Demers, noting that he has been part of protests for roughly a year. According to a lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County, the Miami Seaquarium alleges that Demers has used misinformation and intimidation tactics to interfere with zoos in an attempt to rescue animals from unsafe conditions. The lawsuit claims that Demers has used drones to record unauthorized images, and that he’s knowingly published false information. (Fox13)

Record-breaking ferry ridership leaves hundreds stranded amidst high winds in Puget Sound
Washington State Ferries (WSF) told KOMO News that ridership on Saturday topped 88,000, making it the highest single day since the summer of 2019. More than 82,000 people took a state ferry on Sunday. (KOMO)   See: B.C. Ferries says delayed repairs on one of its largest vessels caused long weekend cancellations Coastal Celebration out of service for maintenance; Salt Spring ferry cancelled due to staffing shortfall. (CBC)

Showtime in Mount Vernon: Lincoln Theatre is a star in downtown renewal
A symbol for local revival, the century-old Lincoln Theatre has helped stimulate business and bring back visitors to riverfront downtown Mount Vernon. Kai Uyehara reports. (Salish Current)

A Line in the Sand
Years of unregulated shoreline armor construction on the San Juan Islands has damaged crucial ecosystems and put human properties in danger. There are plans to remove these structures for the safety of habitats and island residents. Zoe Hawley reports. (The Planet Magazine)

Beach Eggs—Part 2
Wendy Feltham shares her photos and writes: "This second in a four-part series on beach eggs will look at some unusual marine snail eggs, starting with the Frilled Dogwinkle (Nucella lamellosa). These honeycomb-like yellow eggs were the first marine eggs that caught my attention...." (Rainshadow Journal)

ICYMI Change lives, expand minds, boost careers — with science — say teachers and the Science Guy
Bill Nye the Science Guy and local educators and students agree: studying science can be life-changing and career-enhancing. Matt Benoit reports.  (Salish Current)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  241 AM PDT Wed Jul 5 2023   TODAY  N wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 8 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 8 seconds.

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