When 60 students from Central Kitsap High School took off in
double kayaks to look for jumping salmon, they had no idea how the
changing weather would make the trip more exciting.
Bill Wilson, who teaches environmental science, organized
Tuesday’s trip on Dyes Inlet near Silverdale. Lead guide Spring
Courtright of Olympic Outdoor Center shares the story in her
words.
Reminder: Free stream tours from land are scheduled for
Saturday. See the story I wrote for
Tuesday’s Kitsap Sun.
Wind pushes the kayaks
along, as 60 Central Kitsap High School students return to
Silverdale Tuesday after watching jumping salmon. /
Photos by Spring Courtright
By Spring Courtright Program Director, Olympic Outdoor Center
At 9 a.m. on election day, anyone peering through the fog at
Silverdale Waterfront Park would have seen 35 bright kayaks lined
up on the beach and 60 high school students preparing to
paddle.
Central Kitsap High School environmental science students study
salmon in class, then are given the option to paddle with jumping
salmon on an annual Salmon Kayak Tour with the Olympic Outdoor
Center (OOC). For the last two years, 60 students have jumped on
the opportunity.
This trip started about 10 years ago with about half that number
of students. I have been one of the lead guides for nearly all of
these tours. It’s always an adventure, but this year was one of the
more memorable trips because of the beautiful clouds and quick
change in weather. Continue reading →
I recently spent an afternoon with Eric Sorensen, former science
writer for the Seattle Times who now works for the Washington State
University News Bureau.
As we drove up and down the back roads of the Kitsap Peninsula,
I showed Eric some of my favorite places, and I dredged through my
memory banks for stories I’ve covered through the years. I found
myself babbling nonstop, talking about one environmental issue
after another, trying to tie together the geography and history of
our peninsula.
Somehow, Eric was able to create a nice biographical story about
me from our discussion and his review of my stories. You can read
his piece, titled “Bearing witness to the sights and smells of our
soggy backyard,” in WSU’s alumni publication “Washington
State Magazine.”
His story begins, “If you cover the waterfront the way Chris
Dunagan does, you have to expect a fair amount of smells. There’s
the fresh, tangy scent of estuary and the mild musk of beach wrack.
There’s the stench of rotting shellfish during the great Oyster
Rescue of 2010 and the outsized rot of a beached gray whale….”
It seems Eric had some fun with this story, even if my
reputation as a smelly type of reporter needed no help. Anyway, I
think he did a wonderful job of capturing some of my
adventures.
I found a brief
bio and humorous photo of Eric in an announcement of a talk he
was giving journalism students at the University of Idaho, just
across the state line from WSU.
Eric has captured many wonderful stories related to the research
and personalities of folks associated with WSU. You can find a list
of his recent work on this search page of “Washington
State Magazine.”
When “Washington State Magazine” went online, he wrote a
thoughtful “Dear
Reader” piece about magazines, the art of reading and the flow
of information. Thanks to the Internet version of the magazine,
anyone can read Eric’s story about me.
Knowing more than a few sewer operators in my day, I can tell
you that their leading pet peeve is all the stuff that people dump
down their toilets and drains.
I’ll never forget the courtroom description of a giant “rag
ball” — some 30 feet long — found in Bremerton’s sewer. Rag balls
are the accumulation of diapers, tampons and baby wipes that get
flushed down the toilet and become caught somewhere in the sewer
lines.
Bremerton’s famous rag ball became wrapped up in courtroom
testimony during a lawsuit against a sewer contractor hired by the
city to run the operation. For details, check out my story from
April of 1998.
Steve
Anderson
What I really wanted to share with you this week is a song
called “O Christmas Grease” by Steve Anderson, a water resources
analyst at Clean Water Services. This is the agency that manages
wastewater and stormwater in a 12-city region west of Portland,
Ore.
Steve often writes music and performs in a band when he’s not
working at the utility. He told me that he started writing original
songs as well as parodies of existing tunes to entertain his fellow
water experts at conferences. Last week, for example, he showed up
at a conference to help educators decide whether humor is useful in
educating people about wastewater issues.
Steve says the public-education folks at Clean Water Services
tolerates his songs, but they do not fully embrace his activities.
His first song — a parody about the low levels of drugs that make
it through the treatment process — got him into a little hot water
with some folks in the business. “Dope in the Water” is sung to the
tune of the Deep Purple original.
“The Ballad of Betty Poop” was written as a kid’s song for
Take-Your-Children-to-Work Day. It’s about the adventures of a
plastic GI Joe and other characters. It includes these famous
lines: “Give it up, you toilet treasures… You’ll never make it all
the way to the river…”
Steve has not released these songs to the public, though he
readily shares them with friends and anyone who will listen. I must
thank Gayle Leonard, who writes a blog called “Thirsty
in Suburbia,” for bringing Steve’s songs out into the light and
putting me in touch with this creative force in the sewer
world.
More than 1,700 people bid farewell to Happy Feet Sunday as
officials at the Wellington Zoo made final preparations for his
send-off today. The emperor penguin was visible in a glassed area.
Nick Perry of
The Association Press does a nice job with the story. AP’s Ed
Donahue narrated the video below.
Happy Feet is now on his way. Follow the
map to track his journey.
—–
Happy Feet, the emperor penguin who strayed far from home and
ended up in New Zealand, will be released back into the wild on
Monday. Remarkably, this single bird has captured the hearts of
people worldwide.
If you have clicked on my “Recent Comments” in the right column,
you have followed this penguin’s recovery at Wellington Zoo since
my
first posting in Water Ways back in June. (Updates are added
onto the top.)
Gareth Morgan, who is helping to finance a tracking project for
Happy Feet, has created an online farewell card for people to sign.
Comments are coming in from throughout the world.
If you feel inclined, please gather your thoughts and add them
to the card, which can be found on the Our Far
South website. You can also read the hundreds of messages
coming together by clicking on “Read
other messages.” Some of my favorites:
Oh Happy Feet – you have brightened every day as we have
watched you from halfway around the world. Your recovery became a
symbol for us of hope, and humanity’s will to help and love all
creatures here on Earth. I am so sad we won’t see your joyful soul
every day via webcam, but my spirit is happy that you will return
to the glorious freedom of the wild, and will think of you often
with fondness.From Sarah Gledhill – Toronto,
Canada
I hope we have all learned to love the seas a little more
after watching you my friend. You have encouraged me to to as much
as I can to keep the earth clean for all the animals. I wish you a
wonderful life and be sure to tell all of the other penguins of
your adventure with us. From Nancy Tibke – Kent,
Washington. USA
Farewell beautiful pengie … you have made me smile and my
heart glad. I hope you find a lovely family to enjoy your life with
and get to eat lots of yummy fish.From jenny sparks
– Christchurch
Sand is grey, snow is white, remember this, and swim right.
Take care, Happy Feet. New Zealand loves you. From
Dody – Wellington
Thank you Happy Feet. I love you and miss you so… Have a
nice trip to home and hope you will enjoy rest of your life with
family and friends! From Sachie Takayose – Tokyo,
Japan
It’s amazing how one little penguin has so many people
around the world pulling for him! Be well, our little friend. From Michele – United States
Be safe, Happy Feet! I hope that all of you (and not just
your feet!) are happy that you will be on your way home soon. I’ll
miss watching you from my computer at work while I’m supposed to be
working. Be careful, be safe, and know that you are loved and
missed!From Melissa – York, South Carolina,
USA
Sweet Happy Feet…you will do just fine…don’t be afraid..you
will find your freinds very soon. Just keep swimming south and
don’t turn around! God will send his angels to guide you all the
way. Bless you…From Barbara –
Houston,Texas
Dear Happy feet I feel very sad that you are leaving.You are
my favourite peguin in the whole wide world :o)From
Cara Harris – Whitby
Dear Happy Feet, It’s been a privilege having you visit us.
You have been a great ambassador for making people more aware of
the plight of The Antarctic. Travel safely and live a long and
happy life. Please don’t get lost again. You may not be so lucky
next time. Lots of penguin hugs and flipper slaps.Jo,
Bill & Hannah Turnbull, Gisborne , NZ
Hey buddy, sorry about that GPS ankle bracelet. Like they
say, come on vacation, leave on probation! Keep your beak clean and
you’ll be out of having to wear it in no time. Glad you are getting
to go home. Next time, stop and ask for directions! From Jeff – Birmingham, AL USA
Goodbye Mate! Swim safe and please tell your fellas that
humans are not so bad as they seem and that, if they want, they can
keep this world amazing as it is..I wish you love and a long and
happy life and thanks to have reminded us that we have humanity
within us still. From Francesco Loretucci –
Prestwick, Scotland
I love you Happy Feet! Even though I will miss seeing you
everyday….knowing you will be heading to YOUR home makes me even
happier. XOXO.From Rochelle – Matawan
Dear Happy Feet I am so glad you are well enough to return
South to meet up with your fellow Emperor penguin buddies. Like
millions of other you’ve captured my heart but all we want for you
is to be safe and happy and back home but will miss you. Am so glad
Dr Lisa will be on board “Tangaroa” anxiously watching over you
until she says her goodbye’s and please do give her hug before you
leave. BonFrom Pat Browne – Port Elizabeth, South
Africa
Oh dear Sir Happy Feet, you are going to be so missed by us.
I have spent so much time just looking at you bobbing, twisting,
spreading flippers, wiggling your little tail and seeing you go out
the door was like my baby had walked for the first time. You be a
good boy and take care of yourself and do not ever forget how much
we love you. From Aileen Keery – Auckland, New
Zealand
To the folks at the Wellington Zoo: Hope you realize that
all these messages are really for you. You have not only saved a
penguin, you have brightened the lives of countless people around
the globe. Thank you & God bless you all.From
Gaynor Sorrell – Fairfax Station, VA
God speed Happy Feet! You were found up the beach from my
home in Raumati, yet as you, I to am far North from home in Canada.
I also find myself prepairing to return south to my home just as
you are . I believe if you understood the journey you are about to
embark on was back to your home, you’d be filled with excitement &
gratitude, as am I. You’ll be fine I’m sure! You’ve prooved your a
fighter! From Vickie – Raumati NZ – Vancouver
Canada
The world premiere of “The Whale” took place Aug. 20 in the
Faroe Islands, where promoters hoped they could encourage changes
in a long tradition of hunting pilot whales. Check out reports on
“The Whale”
website and a blog entry by Leah
Lemieux, author of “Rekindling the Waters.”
U.S. openings of the film are scheduled for Sept. 9 at SIFF
Cinema in Seattle and The Grand Cinema in Tacoma, followed by
openings in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver, B.C. See the
film’s
screenings page.
—–
It appears that the much-anticipated movie about Luna, the
killer whale, will soon be released in Seattle, New York City and
Washington, D.C., according to an e-mail from the filmmakers,
Suzanne Chisholm, Mike Parfit, and David Parfit. A new trailer for
“The Whale” (view below) was recently released.
Luna was a 2-year-old male orca who belonged to the Southern
Resident community of whales that frequent the Salish Sea. He
somehow became separated from his family and took up an isolated
existence in Nootka Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver
Island.
Suzanne Chisholm and Mike Parfit spent months filming Luna and
eventually produced an independent film called “Saving Luna.” But
they were unable to gain mass distribution for the award-winning
film until actor-producer Ryan Reynolds took an interest.
From their e-mail:
“The Whale is a new film, narrated by Ryan Reynolds.
Like the movie Saving Luna, it also tells the story of
Luna. In some ways you could say that The Whale is based
on Saving Luna, which won 25 awards from around the world.
But has been completely re-edited, re-written, and newly narrated
to make it clear and accessible to an international audience of all
ages.
“Our executive producers, Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson, and
Eric Desatnik, have given us terrific feedback and suggestions for
how to streamline and improve the storytelling, and we have added a
significant amount of new footage as well. But, to reassure those
who love the original film, it has not been turned into something
crassly Hollywood. The same basic creative team has been at the
heart of the new movie, and we are very happy about how it has
turned out.”
The release date and advance theaters have not yet been
announced.
I’ve written before about my coverage of Luna’s story for the
Kitsap Sun — including a trip to Nootka Sound, where I met Suzanne
and Mike. By the time I arrived, they had made real connections
with the local residents of the area — largely, I think, because
they did not impose themselves on others the way some people with
video cameras will do.
I was chosen by the Canadian government to be the U.S. pool
reporter for print media. I was given special access to cover the
effort to capture Luna and return him to his family in the Strait
of Juan de Fuca. A
Water Ways entry on Aug. 10, 2010, updates the Luna film
project and includes links to the stories I wrote.
One segment of the film
(click here to view) talks about people’s desire to touch Luna,
who would come alongside boats and docks and practically beg to be
petted. My wife Sue, who had come with me to help out, loves
animals of all kinds. A few times we were down on the docks in the
evening when Luna swam up. I followed the government’s orders not
to interact with Luna, who had already become “habituated” to
humans, as they say. I also would not allow Sue to approach him,
though it killed her to be so close and not get even closer.
“You need to stay back,” I told her. “I can see the stories now:
‘Reporter’s wife arrested for petting a whale, while he covers the
story about people illegally petting the whale.’”
It was an unusual story, all the way around, and I look forward
to the film version of “The Whale.” Developments can be followed on
Facebook.
Seattle chef Becky Selengut, an expert in Northwest seafood, has
been promoting her new book “Good Fish” about how to select and
prepare seafood.
For a reporter, it would be obvious to interview her about the
methods of cooking, unique dishes from the sea or “sustainable”
seafood. I was amused by the approach taken by KUOW’s Megan Sukys,
who talked with Selengut about how she overcame her early fears of
eating seafood. Check out the report on KUOW,
which includes an account of Becky’s uncle, who frightened a young
girl as she tried unsuccessfully to chew up a clam for the first
time.
The story reminded me of an incident involving my seafood-shy
wife Sue, who never has been able to embrace the richness of
Northwest seafood the way I do. If you ask Sue to try a bite of
fish or shellfish, she demands to know, “Does it taste fishy?”
I never know how to answer this. If it tasted like chicken or
steak, it would not be seafood. But I know what she means. Fish
that is fresh always tastes better than the same item left on the
shelf too long. The trouble is my tolerance for “fishy” is higher
than hers.
Sue generally avoids shellfish as well, because — like a young
Becky Selengut — she can’t stomach anything she can’t thoroughly
chew up.
In 1992, Sue accompanied me to an awards ceremony in Olympia,
where the book “Hood Canal: Splendor at Risk” was being recognized
with a Governor’s Writing Award. Gov. Booth Gardner, who was in
office at the time, presented the awards and invited everyone to a
reception at the Washington Governor’s Mansion.
Some people say puns are the lowest form of humor.
The real problem, I believe, is that it takes too little effort
to make a bad pun. The good ones are somewhat rare, so enjoy them
when they come. When puns ring true, there is no other form of
humor that tickles your brain the same way.
Saturday was the 34th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off World
Championship.
Yesterday, Liane Hansen of National Public Radio’s “Weekend
Edition” interviewed John Pollack, the 1995 champion of the
Pun-Off, who has written a new book “The Pun Also Rises.” Listen to
the interview in
NPR’s media player or check out the story
“Not Jest For Pun: A Surprising History Of Wordplay,” which
includes an excerpt from the book.
Before getting to this year’s contest, I’d like to share a few
of the “Best Stressed Puns of the Millennium,” as voted on by the
International Save the Pun Foundation, which puts on the
pun-off:
I’ve become intrigued by the work of artist Mary Babcock, whose
latest creation with Christopher Curtin uses sheets of fabric to
evoke a feeling of flowing water.
An exhibit called Teem uses
fabric to evoke the feeling of flowing water. / Photo
courtesy of Don Frank Photography
Babcock chairs the Fiber Program in the Department of Art and
Art History at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. (Review her
resume.) Her latest artwork, in partnership with Curtin,
“superimposes metaphors of water (movement/potentiality) and the
sea (the infinite, comfort, danger, aloneness) to evoke a sense of
dreamspace — the space of possibility,” according to the artist’s
description on the
school’s blog.
Teem, as the exhibit is called, got its beginnings at the
Netshed at Alderbrook Station in Astoria, Ore. Now, I wish I would
made the trip to Oregon while the exhibit, called Deluge, was still
open. It has now moved, with some changes, to the Textile Arts
Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
As the description states, “Teem uses textile to create an
environment where viewers find themselves under the surface of the
water at the powerful juncture where river currents meet the ocean
tides, where the individual meets the collective….
Before salmon managers begin to focus on harvest quotas and
seasons for salmon fishing, they must work out predictions about
the number of salmon coming back to each management area throughout
the Northwest.
So how do the managers go about predicting this year’s salmon
runs? It gets pretty technical, but it is basically a combination
of counting the number of salmon smolts that leave selected streams
and then calculating a rate of survival to determine the number of
adults that will come back.
Mara Zimmerman
WDFW photo
Numerous conditions affect whether eggs and fry will survive to
smolt stage and make it out of a stream, just as many factors can
cause the death of the young fish after they leave freshwater. I’m
tempted to describe these factors here, but instead will defer to
Mara Zimmerman, who heads the Wild Salmonid Production Evaluation
Unit. Her well-written report on the “2011 Wild
Coho Forecasts…” (PDF 376 kb) provides an excellent education
into how coho are estimated. Check it out.
I was one of three newspaper reporters who attended Tuesday’s
meeting in Olympia. It was easy to tell the difference between my
handling of this story and the approaches by Jeffrey P. Mayor, who
writes for the
Olympian and the
News Tribune in South Puget Sound, and Allen Thomas, who writes
for the
Columbian in Vancouver (Clark County).
The biggest difference is that those guys are sports or outdoor
reporters, mainly interesting in telling their readers what fishing
will be like this year. As an environmental reporter, my primary
focus is to describe how the salmon are doing ecologically —
although I do recognize that many readers of my stories are anglers
who also want to know about fishing.
We haven’t heard much from the Puget Sound Partnership for a
while — unless you count the state auditor’s report last year. I
thought it was about time to provide a progress report, including a
discussion about whether this relatively new agency still holds
support among legislators and other officials.
Frankly, I expected to hear more people express opposition to
the concept of creating an agency with three distinct branches yet
no regulatory authority. In establishing the partnership, the
Legislature expected the agency to stand above the fray and wield
the power of persuasion and scientific reasoning in promoting
projects to restore the Puget Sound ecosystem.
Several people I interviewed mentioned “growing pains” in
reference to the partnership, and many expressed optimism that the
organization has been learning and is prepared to lead the way.
In the end, it seemed that the people who best understood the
functions of the Puget Sound Partnership were the strongest
supporters — although many supporters were disappointed that the
partnership hadn’t moved faster in issuing some of its reports. But
there was also recognition that the management systems being set up
were not required by the enabling legislation and were taking time
to develop. Many believed that these decision-making tools would
provide a solid foundation for future decisions. Continue reading →
