A full moon rises on Cinco de Mayo, with daytime minus tides in the early mornings. The cycle of meter showers continues as the Eta Aquarius, remnants of Comet Halley, may be seen between through May 25 with a peak in the late night of May 6. The shower brings about 30 meteors an hour, though they will compete with light from the full moon.
Drakes Beach has reopened as the northern elephant seal season continues to transition to molting season. A portion of the beach to the right as you face the ocean remains closed, but the left side toward the estero is open. At Great Beach, those plucky snowy plovers are nesting, and a portion of beach between Abbotts Lagoon and North Beach is closed temporarily. A detailed map is at www.nps.gov/pore.
The queen of the blooming season is in full glory: the creek dogwood seen from the Bear Valley Trail. This exotic tree marks the site of a summer home, and its spire of bright white flowers contrasts to the surrounding emerald green. Puffs of yellow flowering shrubs along roadsides are red elderberry; they will soon sport sprays of crimson berries.
Sudden changes in surface water temperatures have affected floating life such as moon jellies, clear jellies featuring four white crescent moon designs. Warmer temperatures are creating seasonal dieoffs, mostly seen in Tomales Bay.