The full moon on Friday, March 18 greets March 20’s vernal equinox, the calendar opening day of spring (rain is predicted!). This full moon is called the “Crow Moon” by the Ojibwe for the cawing of crows at the end of winter in their northern communities.
Wildflowers are taking advantage of the cycles of rain and sun, bringing many species to bloom. Lupine and poppies are out on south-facing slopes along Point Reyes-Petaluma Road and poppies are beginning to open in West Marin. Poppies are well adapted to drought conditions with carrot-like roots that dig almost a foot into the ground, seeking and storing moisture.
As weaned northern elephant seal pups form pods along Drakes Beach, temporary beach closures are in place for their protection. This year’s class is getting ready to launch into the ocean and begin their solitary ocean life, males heading north and females heading west. With luck, they will find enough to eat and avoid predators like sharks, returning to their natal beaches to molt and grow new fur.
Other youngsters in the neighborhood are tule elk calves and snowy plovers. The park’s first elk calf of the year was seen in the Drakes Beach herd and the first snowy plover nest was noted on the Great Beach. Tule elk calves have spots like black-tailed deer fawns, helping them hide from predators.