Tuesday, March 31, 2015
The full moon of April 4 will appear in Easter bright color! A lunar eclipse is on the calendar beginning at 3:15 am early Saturday morning. The moon passes into the earth's shadow from the sun and will take on a reddish color. Total eclipse is from 4:58 am to 5:03 am.
Northern elephant seal numbers continue to decline, though numerous weaner pods (or groups) of this year's class of pups may be seen near Chimney Rock. Whale watching has been up and down with fogs and wind obscuring the viewing on Friday and Saturday [March 27 and 28], but calmer weather on Sunday and Monday [March 29 and 30] brought up the viewing possibilities. A freshwater [river] otter scampered across Drakes Beach on Saturday!
Poppies are the newest blooming wildflowers starting to show in the pastures around Bear Valley Visitor Center.
The annual park Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) youth employment program is recruiting teens between 16 and 18 [years of age] for a two-month program clearing brush and trails in the summer. Applications for the non-residential program may be requested from Nicole Whittington at 415-464-5112 in the maintenance office.
A special presentation of Leave No Trace behaviors is at the Bear Valley Visitor Center on April 12 from 10 am to 11 am. [Pre-registration is required.]