Swimming coyote

Chattermarks has a story and pictures about spotting a swimming coyote in Diablo Lake.

New endangered species listings in Canada

The northern abalone is now endangered in Canada and the horned grebe is now a species of concern in most of its breeding range, reports the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
The northern abalone, a flattish marine snail with a beautiful iridescent shell, has declined in population because it has been poached for sale in Asia, where it is a delicacy. The U.S. federal government lists the abalone as a species of concern. It's a candidate species for listing in Washington.

About 92 percent of the horned grebes' breeding range is in Canada. The bird winters in bays and estuaries along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, and is one of the most commonly seen winter seabirds in Puget Sound. Possible factors in its decline include: drought, loss of wetlands, increases in nest predators on the Prairies and pollution in its wintering habitat. Because of local declines, it's a state monitored species in Washington.
Via Nature Canada.
Northern abalone photo from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Horned grebe photo from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Humpback whale spotted off Vashon Island

Watching our Waterways has details.

Redoubt's lava dome is about to collapse

Eruptions has an explanation of what will happen when it does. The webcams of the volcano have had some great views lately, showing steam gently rising from the dome.

Image source: Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Barn swallows at Lake Union

Even though they're named after a farm building, barn swallows seem to have an affinity for boats. In fact, I think the most reliable place to find a barn swallow nest is probably a boathouse.
This pair appear to have staked out a spot under a gangplank leading to one of the old ships moored near the Center for Wooden Boats in Lake Union.

Fishes on tide flats

Wanderin' Weeta has a post about sand lance, buffalo sculpin, and the second weirdest fish of the intertidal zone: crescent gunnel, a fish that can breathe air.
What's the weirdest intertidal fish, you ask? That would be the Northern Clingfish.

Think like a mussel

The Oregonian has a fasicinating essay on biomimicry: the practice of mimicking living organism's responses to engineering challenges. Examples? Glue from mussels, and solar energy strategies from shade-tolerant plants.
Via The Daily Score.