9/29 Sweetgum, orcas v. porpoise, beavers and salmon, sanctuaries, otters, grizzly bears, week in review

Sweetgum

Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
The sweetgum is a large, aromatic tree, with a straight trunk and conical crown that becomes round and spreading. Yellow-green flowers appear in spherical clusters in April-May, and give way to the infamous gum balls, which are hard, spherical, bristly fruiting clusters up to 1.5” diameter. The common name of sweet gum refers to an aromatic balsam or gum that exudes from wounds to the tree. Native Americans would use the resin from the sweetgum tree to maintain dental hygiene, and early pioneers in America would use the resin as chewing gum.

Puget Sound orcas beat up and even kill porpoises, new research reveals. But why?
In a study published Thursday in Marine Mammal Science, researchers analyzed 78 documented interactions between southern residents and porpoises in the Salish Sea, mostly around the San Juan Islands, beginning in 1962. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)  See also: Humpbacks vs. orcas: Intense whale chase caught on camera. Alanna Kelly reports. (Bowen Island Undercurrent)

Can the age-old affinity between beavers and salmon be restored?
Salmon restoration groups are learning how to work with beavers to create better salmon habitat. The process hinges on reducing human-beaver conflicts while taking a natural approach to ecosystem recovery. The beavers are happy to help. Sarah DeWeerdt reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine)

Going to Sea
Adam M. Sowards follows up his story about the Northwest Straits Initiative  with how a marine sanctuary was born while another died. (Taking Bearings)

Otters in our Midst
David B. Williams in Street Smart Naturalist writes about the wonderful day he had seeking out and collecting otter poop. What more could an urban naturalist want? (Street Smart Naturalist)

There are new proposals to bring back grizzly bears in the North Cascades
Federal plans to reintroduce the bears in Washington derailed during the Trump years. A grizzly hasn’t been seen in the region since the 1990s. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/29/23: Stop Waste Friday, Duwamish R., Columbia R., warm ocean, worst fire season, mineral claim consultations, Fairy Cr., orcas v. humpbacks, grizzlies.

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Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  233 AM PDT Fri Sep 29 2023   
TODAY  Light wind becoming E to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. 
SAT  Light wind becoming N to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft. W swell 5 ft at 8 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind to 10 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 1 ft. W swell 5 ft at 8 seconds. 
SUN  Light wind becoming SE to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds.

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