The new moon of Jan. 29 continues a pattern of extra-high morning tides and corresponding afternoon minus tides. Over the next month, fog permitting, we may be able to see an array of planets at once—a parade! Look for bright Venus and Saturn in the southwestern sky, joined by Mars, Jupiter and Uranus in the southeastern sky. My favorite spot to look is from the expansive Bolinas Ridge.
Spring is quietly poking its head out, with fluffy yellow acacia trees blooming along Sir Francis Drake, catkins on willow branches and budding fruit trees. The American tradition of a groundhog emerging on Feb. 1 to predict the arrival of spring migrated from Germanic Europe. There, the animal was a hedgehog, but none were to be found in the states.
Another spring predictor is the passage of gray whales, but so far, even with a run of calm and crystal-clear weather, very few have been seen. Meanwhile, northern elephant seals have claimed their beaches for the season and more and more pups are born each day. The dramatic clashing of males tends to overshadow the less physical and more vocal clashing among females. Even with pups beside them, they warn and wrestle with each other.