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| In June this lake should still be snow covered |
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| Editor limps along...beats staying home every time |
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| The shrinking pond |
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| Tiger Beetle |
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| Leaf blower amid the silence of Mt. Rainier NP |
Thursday, June 11, 2015
NACHES LOOP HIKE AUGUST IN JUNE 2015
It's no secret that last winter was a low snow pack year for Washington 's Olympic and Cascade mountains. Combine that with a number of days with temperatures in the 75 to 85 degree range and you have conditions in the mountains on June 10th that look more like late July or even early August. On the Naches Peak Loop trail in Mt. Rainier NP this is especially evident. Streams are dry and ponds are noticeably smaller. Flowers are in bloom that would usually be waiting for the snow to melt. While Washington's mountains did get a somewhat average precipitation this winter most fell as rain in the area below 5,000 feet resulting in the very low snow pack. Less runoff for Puget Sound....ya that's the marine link in this post. :)
Thursday, June 4, 2015
SEA STAR SURVEY CONSTELLATION MARINE RESERVE AND CONDO PILINGS 6-3-15
SURVEY RESULTS:
Constellation Marine Reserve- Alki Seattle (entire park down to minus 2.2ft. tide level):
Pisaster ochraceus (Purple Star) 78 healthy and 19 with SSWD (all with SSWD had low to moderate levels, none were disintegrating) The images show the level of SSWD on individual Purple Stars.
Two small Sunflower Stars were seen both being eaten by gulls....SSWD was not seen on either but it was hard to tell.
Condo pilings south of Constellation Marine Reserve:
Pisaster ochraceus (Purple Star) 35 healthy and 4 with SSWD - again low to moderate level and none disintegrating.
Largest star had ray (arm) length of 6 inches which is near maximum size for this species.
The pilings under the condos is the only area where large Purple Stars are seen in this area.
It may be that being out of direct sunlight and in a cooler habitat has allowed some of these stars to survive the SSWD epidemic.
Survey results show that the level of SSWD is down from 2014 when infection rates were above 80% in the area. Many Pisaster o. have been lost over the past 2 years. The count of Purple Stars in 2011 prior to SSWD for Constellation Marine Reserve was 609.
While this is good news it does not mean SSWD is on the way out.....only time will tell.
SSWD = Sea Star Wasting Disease
Constellation Marine Reserve- Alki Seattle (entire park down to minus 2.2ft. tide level):
Pisaster ochraceus (Purple Star) 78 healthy and 19 with SSWD (all with SSWD had low to moderate levels, none were disintegrating) The images show the level of SSWD on individual Purple Stars.
Two small Sunflower Stars were seen both being eaten by gulls....SSWD was not seen on either but it was hard to tell.
Condo pilings south of Constellation Marine Reserve:
Pisaster ochraceus (Purple Star) 35 healthy and 4 with SSWD - again low to moderate level and none disintegrating.
Largest star had ray (arm) length of 6 inches which is near maximum size for this species.
The pilings under the condos is the only area where large Purple Stars are seen in this area.
It may be that being out of direct sunlight and in a cooler habitat has allowed some of these stars to survive the SSWD epidemic.
Survey results show that the level of SSWD is down from 2014 when infection rates were above 80% in the area. Many Pisaster o. have been lost over the past 2 years. The count of Purple Stars in 2011 prior to SSWD for Constellation Marine Reserve was 609.
While this is good news it does not mean SSWD is on the way out.....only time will tell.
SSWD = Sea Star Wasting Disease
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| Purple Star (Pisaster o.) with SSWD |
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| Purple Star (Pisaster o.) with SSWD |
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| Purple Star (Pisaster o.) with SSWD |
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| Gull with Sunflower Star |
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| Damaged small Sunflower Star (gull damage) |
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| Large Purple Star on condo piling |
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| Purple Stars on condo piling |
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| Purple Star with SSWD on condo piling |
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| Large Purple Star on condo piling |
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| Purple Stars on condo piling (large one with SSWD on upper arm) |
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| Purple Star with SSWD on condo piling |
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| Small Purple Stars (healthy) on condo piling |
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| Condos south of CMR |
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| Purple Star with SSWD - CMR |
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
SEA STAR WASTING DISEASE SURVEY UPDATE 6-2-15
A count of Pisaster o. was done 6-2-15 on the south side of the breakwater just south of Constellation Marine Reserve West Seattle. A total of 95 Pisaster o. were observed and all appeared healthy. This compares to a count of 92 healthy and 1 sick Pisaster o. done for the same area on May 17th 2015. So there appears to be little change in the number or health of the stars on the south side of the breakwater. In 2014 over 90% of the observed Pisaster o. on the breakwater were suffering with SSWD. So today's count gives us some hope that for this specific area we may be seeing the end of SSWD.....but that remains to be seen as summer progresses.
An attempt was made to count Pisaster o. under the condos on pilings but tidal and wind conditions made that impossible. In May a number of large Pisaster o. were seen on the pilings but a count was not conducted.
An attempt was made to count Pisaster o. under the condos on pilings but tidal and wind conditions made that impossible. In May a number of large Pisaster o. were seen on the pilings but a count was not conducted.
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| South side of breakwater south of CMR |
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| Purple stars on breakwater |
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| Purple star on condo piling |
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| Condos south of CMR West Seattle |
Monday, June 1, 2015
SEAL SITTERS FLIPPER FEST MAY 31 2015
A host of environmental organizations from the Northwest participated in Flipper Fest at the Alki Beach House on Sunday. Both Government and NGO organizations participated. Nearly 600 people attended this highly successful environmental education and general fun event. A number of local businesses and organizations provide items for a successful fund raising raffle. Dozens of organization staff and volunteers made sure visitors were will provide with information and answers to questions concerning the work of the participating organizations. Many visitors were families and activities were provide to both entertain and educate the children.
Friday, May 22, 2015
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