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July 31, 2008 Forwarded to Park Wavelengths subscribers: The area affected is on the north side of Limanatour Beach/Muddy Hollow Road area
July 29, 2008 Early morning low tides accompany the new moon's rise on Friday, August 1st
The annual Perseid meteor shower approaches with showers to be seen throughout the week of August 10, peaking on Tuesday night, August 12th. They appear to radiate from the northeastern sky and the constellation of Perseus, named for the son of Zeus who rescued wife Andromeda from a sea monster! A bright waxing moon may interfere with viewing but early risers should be able to catch the show of falling stars. The peak harbor seal molting season is now when they are particularly social, massing in large groups on shores and sand bars such as the Bolinas Lagoon. While molting they look brighter as they lose their old fur which comes off in large patches. In the autumn they will return to their more solitary life at sea. Flags are half staff in the park to honor Olympic National Park firefighter Andrew Palmer (18 years old) who died in the line of duty this week at Shasta Trinity National Forest. Park staff have been sent to assist at Yosemite National Park; if you are heading that way, check the park website at https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm or (209) 372-0200 for an update on travel conditions. Exotic color along Bear Valley Trail are the brilliant orange-red Crocosmia sp./Montbretia or South African Lily, a colorful migrant from South Africa. Huckleberries are abundant this year; larger than usual it seems. Lots to be found along Old Pine Trails and in Tomales Bay State Park. A special booksigning is coming up for the new edition of "The Natural History of Point Reyes Peninsula"; author Jules Evens will be signing copies on August 2nd at the Red Barn Classroom at Bear Valley at 2:30 pm. July 29, 2008 Forwarded to Local Park Wavelengths subscribers:
July 15, 2008 The full moon rises on Friday, July 18 with a few early morning daylight low tides:
This moon is 'the moon of much ripening' for the Mohawk people of the eastern states; true of California as the first ripe blackberries are appearing along the Earthquake Trail and roadsides. If you are walking the low tide along Tomales Bay, you may see some bright yellow disks in the lowest intertidal areas. The disks are part of a study conducted by Bodega Marine Lab and the Student Conservation Association summer program. They are measuring erosional force of water and how it affects the native Olympia oyster population; disks are placed on the east shores and west shores of the bay for comparative measurements. High temperatures last week contributed to the seasonal die off of jellyfish. Moon jellies, clear blobs with four white crescents on the top have been washing ashore along the local beaches as well as the ice tea colored Lions Mane jellies. As surface dwellers, they are susceptible to even a few degrees change in water temperatures. The brownish Lions mane jellies tentacles can cause an allergic reaction so best to avoid them even when washed up onshore. Mark your calendars for the 28th annual Big Time Festival on Saturday, July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Kule Loklo, the Coast Miwok Exhibit near Bear Valley Visitor Center. Dancers from the Intertribal Pomo and Dry Creek Pomo bands will be demonstrating along with basketmakers Julia Parker, flintknappers, and shell bead makers. Bring a picnic to enjoy the day, no dogs or alcoholic beverages at this event. July 08, 2008 Forwarded to Local Park Wavelengths Email List
July 1, 2008 The new moon rises on July 2nd at 7:19 pm and the earth will be at aphelion on July 4th, the farthest point in its annual orbit of the sun. Some early morning daylight low tides occur:
A tough summer for the snowy plovers but they are not giving up; 16 nests have been made with five hatched and 15 chicks but only one chick still alive. There are hopes of four more chicks being hidden in a nest with dad. Monkeyflowers are the latest wildflowers to bloom; look low alongside roadways for the bright yellow Seep Spring Monkeyflowers who like dampness; look higher up for the orange Sticky Monkeyflowers. A permit for a training bike ride had been issued for Saturday July 12th at Bear Valley Picnic area. Expect some congestion as groups of bike riders move through the area to Abbots Lagoon in the morning. Seal protection measures are lifted for this year - the annual closure of Drakes Estero and South Blue Gums Beach from March 1st to June 30th ended this week. All park visitor centers are open Friday July 4th. No fireworks are permitted in Marin County and in the national seashore. Legal fireworks may be seen at the Marin County Fair - one of the park's electric vehicles will be on display at the fair as part of 24 alternative fuel vehicles. The free weekends in July shuttle bus between Olema Campground and Limantour Beach begins this weekend. Schedules have been posted at the Olema Campground and at Bear Valley Visitor Center. Saturday, July 5th park archivist Carol DeRooy and local historian Dewey Livingston will be signing copies of their new history picture guide to Point Reyes from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015