The full moon of Sunday, Feb. 1 continues a pattern of extra-high morning tides, and the corresponding extra-low tides in the afternoon will make good tide pooling. This date is called Imbolg in the Celtic calendar, midway between the solstice and equinox and marking a time of new beginnings. This tradition predicts that if the weather is clear, winter continues; if it is rainy and cold, then spring is near!
Indeed, warm days are bringing the first hints of spring, from flowering domestic daffodils to wild milkmaids. These small white-and-pink wildflowers are almost always the first to bloom in shady areas like Bear Valley Trail. Tendrils of wild cucumber vines, with their tiny white flowers, are snaking out of the ground, while popping out on domestic acacia trees are sprays of golden puffballs.
Northern elephant seals continue to put on a show at Drakes Beach and the Headlands. Females, or cows, are squabbling, while much cooling sand is being flipped over resting bodies and pups are being born. One of the small colonies seen from Chimney Rock Trail in a bayside cove boasts 134 cows and one very busy alpha male guarding his harem.