A small meteor shower, the Taurids, will peak on the evening of Friday, Nov. 4 with just a few sparkles—around five to 10 an hour. They will be best seen in the early morning. A total lunar eclipse begins on Nov. 8 at 12:06 a.m., peaking at 2:59 a.m. As usual, viewing may be fogged out. The full moon also brings several six-foot morning tides with corresponding very low minus tides in the afternoon daylight.
My nature explorations have recently been limited to the home front. Though it’s a small space, I am amazed at the abundance of activity. The small creek brings down deer and quail each evening, and the bubbling sound of quail calls mimics the creek flow. The treetops shake with grey squirrels and acorn woodpeckers still in their frenzy of nut collecting. “Woolly bears,” the caterpillar of tiger moths, amble across the ground. They have bands of black and rust with a few white spikes. Local lore in the eastern states notes that the width of the stripes may predict how tough the winter will be. They look equal to me, and I’m hoping that means more rain!
Park trails, the lighthouse and the Bear Valley Visitor Center will be open on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.