The king tide rolled into Puget Sound last week, bringing with it record high waters and impressive currents that flowed like rivers through the passages and channels of the Salish Sea. Debris and lost boats were scattered along the winding reaches of the Sound.
The Pullen Creek forest fire near Eco Park, Kid Valley, and Mt. St. Helens was one of dozens started by irresponsible slash burning in the Pacific Northwest this month. Such explosive fire danger is a direct consequence of the climate crisis and poor forestry practices. 2022 has been dangerously and unusually dry, and despite recent rain this normally soggy region remains a tinderbox waiting to explode.
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This past week I visited the wild and little visited valley of North Siouxan Creek to explore and document the old growth forest that would be destroyed if the Department of Natural Resources goes through with the Beehive Timber Sale. This area was burned a hundred years ago in the Yacolt Burn, and has now regrown into a complex, natural forest full of both big living trees and ancient burned snags. Everywhere I went there was the constant sound of woodpeckers, and I frequently heard larger animals moving in the brush. It's quite clearly a wildlife hotspot, and is prime Northern Spotted Owl habitat.
On July 28th the historic ferry Tourist II partially sank in Astoria, Oregon. This ferry used to provide transportation between Astoria, OR, and Megler, Washington prior to the construction of the Astoria Bridge. Sadly, this historic vessel now rests in the briny harbor where it once proudly sailed, it's future uncertain. It's unknown what caused the ferry to sink, and cleanup operations are in progress.
Hunting during the middle of the day, Northern Pygmy Owls defy the stereotype of owns as a purely nocturnal predator. These tiny little 6-inch predators can take down prey far larger than themselves!
