- ASPIDISKE (Iota Carinae). Most stars have no proper name; even some bright ones lack them. How they would envy this one, with not one, but THREE, from each of the classic stellar languages. “Aspidiske” (the Greek Iota star in Carina, the Keel of the ship Argo) comes from the Greek, and means “little shield” (referring to a decoration, not a defensive weapon).
- South Puget Sound Wildlife Area (wdf.wa.gov)
The South Puget Sound Wildlife Area covers 5,790 acres spread across Mason, Kitsap, Pierce, and Thurston counties in eight units. Major rivers and tributaries flow into Puget Sound, Hood Canal, or the Chehalis River, which flows out into Grays Harbor. The wildlife area supports many prairie, estuary, and wetland dependent species, as well as a variety of other wildlife and native fish populations, some of which are federally endangered. Each unit provides habitat for many common species found throughout western Washington, such as deer, elk, river otter, hawks, and a many different song birds. In addition to common species, units are managed either for recreation associated with fish and wildlife or for the protection of specific species and their habitats.