Topic: Wildlife
Friday Harbor Labs April 2020 Tide Bite
Written on April 6, 2020 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
Greetings, This month’s Tide Bite chronicles a not-that-unusual career progression for Friday Harbor Labs’ scientists: going from a student in a course, to a student doing their own research, to teaching here themselves, to having their own graduate students come to learn the trade! We love these multi-“generational” ties. Beth Brainerd is one we are Continue Reading
FHHS Students Promote Tardigrade
Written on February 10, 2020 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Do you know what a tardigrade is? If not, it’s time to find out! It could soon become Washington State’s official micro-animal thanks to a partnership between students at Friday Harbor High School, Riverday School in Spokane, Jefferson Middle School in Olympia, along with Lynn Bahrych from the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and Katie Continue Reading
Giving Local Salmon a Fighting Chance
Written on November 27, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County’s sole remaining wild salmon run may have been doomed to extinction until a last-minute agreement to increase water flow gave the fish a chance. A small population of coho salmon spawn in lower Cascade Creek near the Orcas Island hamlet of Olga. In 2016, the San Juan County Land Bank purchased a Continue Reading
The Breach
Written on November 3, 2019 at 9:14 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Monday, November 4th, is Monday Movie Night at the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center (185 S. First Street). We will be showing The Breach (a film by Mark Titus). Doors open at 6:30 and the film begins at 7:00. Free admission and snacks provided.
San Juan Islands Christmas Bird Count
Written on October 28, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Note: it’s a little earlier this year… Saturday, December 14, 2019 From Christmas Bird Hunts to Christmas Bird Counts –119 Years of Counting In 1900 ornithologist Frank Chapman along with other conservationists were disturbed at the slaughter of birds in the annual holiday event called the “side hunt”. The team that shot the most birds Continue Reading
Anna’s Hummingbirds
Written on October 25, 2019 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Story by Richard Wright In the islands we usually associate hummingbirds with the spring and summer seasons. In mid March our small Rufous Hummingbirds arrive from Mexico to breed in our islands and elsewhere in the NW. By mid August most of our Rufous Hummingbirds return to winter in Mexico. Recently, however, another species of Continue Reading
New at the Sculpture Park
Written on October 21, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Some new sculpture was installed at San Juan Island Sculpture Park on Saturday, October 12. It is three pieces depicting members of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Left to right in the photo above are Nyssa (L-84, died 2019), Ruffles (J-1, died 2010) and Scoter (K-25, died 2019) all carved from western red cedar by Continue Reading
Meet & Greet Saturday
Written on October 18, 2019 at 8:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
There will be a Meet and Greet event happening in Friday Harbor this Saturday, October 19th at 12:00. Our organization, Orca Protection and Rescue (OPR), is hosting this event to give the public an opportunity to talk with our crew as well as educate them about our mission and future goals. OPR focuses on three Continue Reading
Court Decision to Consider Orcas
Written on October 17, 2019 at 6:15 am, by Tim Dustrude
WA Superior Court requires state to reconsider impacts to orcas in Skagit County refinery expansion project Thurston County Superior Court rules on decision from Shoreline Hearings Board related to Marathon Oil’s Anacortes Refinery; environmental groups appealed for failing to consider vessel traffic impacts THURSTON COUNTY, WA — On Friday, October 11, the Thurston County Superior Continue Reading
Help for the Island Marble Butterfly
Written on October 7, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
State and federal wildlife agencies to work with San Juan and Lopez island landowners to recover butterfly found nowhere else The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is announcing continuation of open enrollment for San Juan and Lopez islands landowners who would like to participate in a voluntary program to help restore Island Continue Reading
Citizen Scientists Needed for Forage Fish Surveys in the San Juans
Written on October 5, 2019 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friends of the San Juans is seeking citizen scientists to help conduct beach surveys for spawning forage fish over the next two years. There will be a survey training session on October 26 from 9 am – 1 pm with researchers from Friends of the San Juans and Salish Sea Biological at the Old Town of Friday Harbor Continue Reading
Annual Gardening Workshop
Written on October 2, 2019 at 10:02 am, by Tim Dustrude
Need Help Managing “Watchable Wildlife” in Your Garden? Leave this class with a better understanding of how to manage deer and other mammals in your gardens. The San Juan County Master Gardeners are pleased to welcome Dave Pehling, retired WSU Extension Zoologist. Dave will discuss integrated pest management, deterring pests by understanding their needs for, Continue Reading
Growing Up Gorilla
Written on September 27, 2019 at 9:04 am, by Tim Dustrude
Growing Up Gorilla with Acclaimed Author Clare Hodgson Meeker at San Juan Island Library On Saturday, Oct 5 at 3 PM Clare Hodgson Meeker will talk about her latest non-fiction book. Growing Up Gorilla tells the true story of a baby gorilla named Yola who lives at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. At birth, Yola was Continue Reading
Beach Habitat Enhancement Project Underway on Shaw
Written on September 26, 2019 at 10:15 am, by Tim Dustrude
During the recent daytime low tides, Friends of the San Juans and project contractor Zach Crosby of Shaw Island Excavation worked to remove large rock and concrete debris from a stretch of beach on Shaw Island. The project will improve spawning substrate in a year-round forage fish area and compliments similar projects completed in 2017 Continue Reading
Joe Gaydos to Receive Film Festival’s Local Hero Award
Written on September 16, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Film Festival is delighted to announce that Joe Gaydos will be the honored recipient of the 2019 Local Hero Award for his work as a Senior Wildlife Veterinarian and Science Director for the SeaDoc Society. The Local Hero Award is presented each year to a present or former resident of the San Juan Continue Reading
Meet Eba the Whale-poop-sniffing dog at SJIMA
Written on September 10, 2019 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Maybe out on the water you saw a dog, in sunglasses no less, on the prow of a small boat and wondered what they were doing. Well, now you can get an answer! Come meet Dr. Debora Giles and Eba at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) lobby and learn about Eba’s job Continue Reading
Got a whale of a question?
Written on August 16, 2019 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Stop by and chat with one of the Volunteer Naturalists at the Westside Preserve middle pullover south of Lime Kiln, or at Lime Kiln Whale Watch Wall. Happy to answer your questions and share information about the whales and the Salish Sea!! 11am-2pm Saturday 8-17-19 Westside Preserve 11am-2pm Sunday 8-18-19 Westside Preserve 2pm-5pm Sunday 8-18-19 Continue Reading
Return of the River
Written on August 12, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
It’s time for Monday Movie Night again at the Orca Survey Outreach and Education Center (185 S. First Street). The next installment of the series will be a showing of “Return of the River”. This film beautifully documents the story of the removal of the dams on the Elwha River and how the restoration of Continue Reading
Islands Heartbeats SJI
Written on August 9, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
An unforgettable photographic journey through the natural wonders of San Juan Island, Washington. Written and photographed by Julie McIntire Corey. This is the must-have book of the summer! Islands Heartbeats is 272 pages with 330 spectacular photographs and stories that will make your heart beat. JulieC is one of those rare individuals that can Continue Reading
Got a whale of a question?
Written on August 9, 2019 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Stop by and chat with one of the Volunteer Naturalists at the Westside Preserve middle pullover south of Lime Kiln, or at Lime Kiln Whale Watch Wall this weekend. Happy to answer your questions and share information about the whales and the Salish Sea! 12pm-5pm Friday 8-9-19 Westside Preserve 11am-5pm Saturday 8-10-19 Westside Preserve 11am-2pm Continue Reading
UW Labs 2019 Illg Distinguished Lecturer
Written on August 5, 2019 at 8:23 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Labs is excited to welcome, Dr. Anna Metaxas, our 2019 Illg Lecturer on August 7 at the Community Theater at 7 PM. Dr. Metaxas is from Dalhousie University and her topic will be “Evidence-based conservation: designing well-connected Marine Protected Areas.” Please join us for this amazing free public lecture followed by refreshments.
Thank You Party for Deepwater Divers
Written on July 22, 2019 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
Thank You Party for US Army Deepwater Derelict Net Removal Project Thursday July 25, 4:00-5:30 p.m., San Juan Island Brewing Co. (410 A St.) Project helps keep our waters safe for wildlife and boaters Join Friends of the San Juans in thanking 20 soldiers from the US Army’s 569th Engineering Dive Detachment who have been Continue Reading
Friday Harbor Labs April 2020 Tide Bite
Written on April 6, 2020 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
Greetings, This month’s Tide Bite chronicles a not-that-unusual career progression for Friday Harbor Labs’ scientists: going from a student in a course, to a student doing their own research, to teaching here themselves, to having their own graduate students come to learn the trade! We love these multi-“generational” ties. Beth Brainerd is one we are Continue Reading
FHHS Students Promote Tardigrade
Written on February 10, 2020 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Do you know what a tardigrade is? If not, it’s time to find out! It could soon become Washington State’s official micro-animal thanks to a partnership between students at Friday Harbor High School, Riverday School in Spokane, Jefferson Middle School in Olympia, along with Lynn Bahrych from the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and Katie Continue Reading
Giving Local Salmon a Fighting Chance
Written on November 27, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County’s sole remaining wild salmon run may have been doomed to extinction until a last-minute agreement to increase water flow gave the fish a chance. A small population of coho salmon spawn in lower Cascade Creek near the Orcas Island hamlet of Olga. In 2016, the San Juan County Land Bank purchased a Continue Reading
The Breach
Written on November 3, 2019 at 9:14 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Monday, November 4th, is Monday Movie Night at the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center (185 S. First Street). We will be showing The Breach (a film by Mark Titus). Doors open at 6:30 and the film begins at 7:00. Free admission and snacks provided.
San Juan Islands Christmas Bird Count
Written on October 28, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Note: it’s a little earlier this year… Saturday, December 14, 2019 From Christmas Bird Hunts to Christmas Bird Counts –119 Years of Counting In 1900 ornithologist Frank Chapman along with other conservationists were disturbed at the slaughter of birds in the annual holiday event called the “side hunt”. The team that shot the most birds Continue Reading
Anna’s Hummingbirds
Written on October 25, 2019 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Story by Richard Wright In the islands we usually associate hummingbirds with the spring and summer seasons. In mid March our small Rufous Hummingbirds arrive from Mexico to breed in our islands and elsewhere in the NW. By mid August most of our Rufous Hummingbirds return to winter in Mexico. Recently, however, another species of Continue Reading
New at the Sculpture Park
Written on October 21, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Some new sculpture was installed at San Juan Island Sculpture Park on Saturday, October 12. It is three pieces depicting members of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Left to right in the photo above are Nyssa (L-84, died 2019), Ruffles (J-1, died 2010) and Scoter (K-25, died 2019) all carved from western red cedar by Continue Reading
Meet & Greet Saturday
Written on October 18, 2019 at 8:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
There will be a Meet and Greet event happening in Friday Harbor this Saturday, October 19th at 12:00. Our organization, Orca Protection and Rescue (OPR), is hosting this event to give the public an opportunity to talk with our crew as well as educate them about our mission and future goals. OPR focuses on three Continue Reading
Court Decision to Consider Orcas
Written on October 17, 2019 at 6:15 am, by Tim Dustrude
WA Superior Court requires state to reconsider impacts to orcas in Skagit County refinery expansion project Thurston County Superior Court rules on decision from Shoreline Hearings Board related to Marathon Oil’s Anacortes Refinery; environmental groups appealed for failing to consider vessel traffic impacts THURSTON COUNTY, WA — On Friday, October 11, the Thurston County Superior Continue Reading
Help for the Island Marble Butterfly
Written on October 7, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
State and federal wildlife agencies to work with San Juan and Lopez island landowners to recover butterfly found nowhere else The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is announcing continuation of open enrollment for San Juan and Lopez islands landowners who would like to participate in a voluntary program to help restore Island Continue Reading
Citizen Scientists Needed for Forage Fish Surveys in the San Juans
Written on October 5, 2019 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friends of the San Juans is seeking citizen scientists to help conduct beach surveys for spawning forage fish over the next two years. There will be a survey training session on October 26 from 9 am – 1 pm with researchers from Friends of the San Juans and Salish Sea Biological at the Old Town of Friday Harbor Continue Reading
Annual Gardening Workshop
Written on October 2, 2019 at 10:02 am, by Tim Dustrude
Need Help Managing “Watchable Wildlife” in Your Garden? Leave this class with a better understanding of how to manage deer and other mammals in your gardens. The San Juan County Master Gardeners are pleased to welcome Dave Pehling, retired WSU Extension Zoologist. Dave will discuss integrated pest management, deterring pests by understanding their needs for, Continue Reading
Growing Up Gorilla
Written on September 27, 2019 at 9:04 am, by Tim Dustrude
Growing Up Gorilla with Acclaimed Author Clare Hodgson Meeker at San Juan Island Library On Saturday, Oct 5 at 3 PM Clare Hodgson Meeker will talk about her latest non-fiction book. Growing Up Gorilla tells the true story of a baby gorilla named Yola who lives at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. At birth, Yola was Continue Reading
Beach Habitat Enhancement Project Underway on Shaw
Written on September 26, 2019 at 10:15 am, by Tim Dustrude
During the recent daytime low tides, Friends of the San Juans and project contractor Zach Crosby of Shaw Island Excavation worked to remove large rock and concrete debris from a stretch of beach on Shaw Island. The project will improve spawning substrate in a year-round forage fish area and compliments similar projects completed in 2017 Continue Reading
Joe Gaydos to Receive Film Festival’s Local Hero Award
Written on September 16, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Film Festival is delighted to announce that Joe Gaydos will be the honored recipient of the 2019 Local Hero Award for his work as a Senior Wildlife Veterinarian and Science Director for the SeaDoc Society. The Local Hero Award is presented each year to a present or former resident of the San Juan Continue Reading
Meet Eba the Whale-poop-sniffing dog at SJIMA
Written on September 10, 2019 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Maybe out on the water you saw a dog, in sunglasses no less, on the prow of a small boat and wondered what they were doing. Well, now you can get an answer! Come meet Dr. Debora Giles and Eba at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) lobby and learn about Eba’s job Continue Reading
Got a whale of a question?
Written on August 16, 2019 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Stop by and chat with one of the Volunteer Naturalists at the Westside Preserve middle pullover south of Lime Kiln, or at Lime Kiln Whale Watch Wall. Happy to answer your questions and share information about the whales and the Salish Sea!! 11am-2pm Saturday 8-17-19 Westside Preserve 11am-2pm Sunday 8-18-19 Westside Preserve 2pm-5pm Sunday 8-18-19 Continue Reading
Return of the River
Written on August 12, 2019 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
It’s time for Monday Movie Night again at the Orca Survey Outreach and Education Center (185 S. First Street). The next installment of the series will be a showing of “Return of the River”. This film beautifully documents the story of the removal of the dams on the Elwha River and how the restoration of Continue Reading
Islands Heartbeats SJI
Written on August 9, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
An unforgettable photographic journey through the natural wonders of San Juan Island, Washington. Written and photographed by Julie McIntire Corey. This is the must-have book of the summer! Islands Heartbeats is 272 pages with 330 spectacular photographs and stories that will make your heart beat. JulieC is one of those rare individuals that can Continue Reading
Got a whale of a question?
Written on August 9, 2019 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Stop by and chat with one of the Volunteer Naturalists at the Westside Preserve middle pullover south of Lime Kiln, or at Lime Kiln Whale Watch Wall this weekend. Happy to answer your questions and share information about the whales and the Salish Sea! 12pm-5pm Friday 8-9-19 Westside Preserve 11am-5pm Saturday 8-10-19 Westside Preserve 11am-2pm Continue Reading
UW Labs 2019 Illg Distinguished Lecturer
Written on August 5, 2019 at 8:23 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Labs is excited to welcome, Dr. Anna Metaxas, our 2019 Illg Lecturer on August 7 at the Community Theater at 7 PM. Dr. Metaxas is from Dalhousie University and her topic will be “Evidence-based conservation: designing well-connected Marine Protected Areas.” Please join us for this amazing free public lecture followed by refreshments.
Thank You Party for Deepwater Divers
Written on July 22, 2019 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
Thank You Party for US Army Deepwater Derelict Net Removal Project Thursday July 25, 4:00-5:30 p.m., San Juan Island Brewing Co. (410 A St.) Project helps keep our waters safe for wildlife and boaters Join Friends of the San Juans in thanking 20 soldiers from the US Army’s 569th Engineering Dive Detachment who have been Continue Reading