The new moon rises on Friday, Feb. 9 with one of the very highest tides—6.9 feet—at around 10 a.m. Hopefully, no atmospheric rivers will occur then!
The recent high winds have downed trees throughout the local parks. If you encounter one, gather this information to report to park staff: the location, the type of tree, its diameter and size, and whether a horse or human can get around it.
Feb. 1 marked Imbolg, the first day of spring in the Celtic calendar. Indeed, hints of spring abound in West Marin. What I like to call the little pink chandeliers of flowering currants may be seen in front of the community center and along the Levee Road. One of the first wildflowers blooming each year are the four-petaled, white-with-a-touch-of-rose milkmaids. They are shade lovers. The bright golden bells of domestic daffodils are peeking out in local gardens, too.
Pacific gray whale sightings were not as abundant this year from the lighthouse, and most are now enjoying the warm water lagoons of Baja Mexico. They will pass again here on their northern return in March and April. February does mark the height of elephant seal activity, and a full complement of bulls, cows and pups are very active at Drakes Beach.