Puget Sound Institute

Sea lion season in Ballard is winding down, but California and Steller sea lions are still hauled out at Shilshole Marina's boat lift dock (Dock X). Their presence may be no accident. Herring restoration efforts in Central Puget Sound, led by the Suquamish Tribe, are showing signs of success — and the sea lions appear to be following the fish.
Learn more about the sea lions and other mammals of the Salish Sea: eopugetsound.org/species/marine-mammals

What a night! Seabirds Live! brought together seabirds, science, and a packed house. Eric Wagner read from Seabirds as Sentinels:

"I work myself deeper into the rocks. The sun is gone, the wind rises, and Destruction Island resounds with the songs of besotted auklets: waa-waaaaaa-waa, waa-waaaaaa-waa. Lying on my back on the beach, letting their songs wash over me, it is easy to believe––to know––that thousands of birds live on these bluffs all around me."

We also learned that rhinoceros auklets are, genetically speaking, actually puffins. Thank you to Eric Wagner, Peter Hodum, and Jeff Rice for a memorable evening — and to everyone who joined us. Thanks also to our sponsors: University of Washington Tacoma, University of Puget Sound, University of Washington Press, and King's Books in Tacoma.