The sky will hopefully treat us to the sight of the Draconid meteor shower from Oct. 6 to 10, peaking on Friday, Oct. 9. Fog permitting, it may be easy to view for two reasons. It radiates from the constellation Draco, which is next to the Little Dipper, a constellation that is easy to identify. And the new moon on Oct. 10 won’t shed much light to compete with meteors. The waning moon will bring some 6-foot and greater midday high tides.
As sweater weather commences, trees are beginning to drop their leaves. Bigleaf maples make golden splashes of color in our evergreen and redwood forests. Maples provide an important browse for deer and elk. California buckeye trees are dropping piles of leaves, exposing the light green husks of their seed pods. These husks will spill open, leaving a golden-brown, tangerine-sized seed. As leaf litter builds up, it becomes a good spot to shelter overwintering insects like ladybugs.
Seashore trails, roads, and visitor centers remain open on Monday, Oct. 12, Indigenous People’s Day. Let us acknowledge the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin, and the broader community of Coast Miwok people.