Another group of daylight extreme tides accompanies the full moon of Dec. 8. Many of the traditional full moon names at this time of year are aligned with cold temperatures, like the Hoar Frost Moon of the Cree people and the Cold Moon of the Mohawk. It definitely has felt chilly these recent mornings. As we pass through the long, dark nights, the multicolored Geminids meteor shower will light up the sky between Dec. 7 and 17, peaking on the night of the 13th and 14th. Look for them in the early-evening eastern sky, before moonrise at 10 p.m.
The additional push of high tides may help the first Northern elephant seal bulls onto beaches, where a few juveniles have been molting. Any day now, the annual return of the larger colony will begin.
Worth a repeat mention is the gingko tree with its golden carpet of leaves next to the Livery Stable. Gingko, also called maidenhair tree, is native to two small areas in China and, like local horsetail fern, has prehistoric roots dating back over 200 million years. The deep yellow leaves are an autumn addition to the scene.
The winter spawning season of coho salmon and steelhead trout in Lagunitas Creek has begun, with fish splashing at the Leo T. Cronin viewing area and at Devil’s Gulch. Parking is at a premium on weekends, so a weekday visit may be easier.