The new moon of Sept. 14 brings mid-morning high tides. This time of year, sand is still being pushed up onto the beaches. It will be scoured off in winter.
If you are scrambling down onto Kelham Beach, a remote stretch south of Limantour, you may see remnants of a dead gray whale decomposing. Triangular pieces of baleen from its upper mouth are in the sand. These pieces would have hung down from the top of the whale’s mouth and helped sieve food off the surface of the ocean floor. Some of the bones have been placed in various artistic shapes.
It is a great time to see coveys of California quail. I startled at least three groups on a recent walk home. Quails live most of their lives close to the ground; they are equipped to run quickly but not fly very much, just short bursts to elude predators. They typically nest on the ground, with clutches of 15 eggs, and they feed on seeds, insects and berries. The singular quail that you may see atop a shrub or fence post is often a guard who will alert the covey if it senses danger. Watch for them scurrying across the road!
New watercolor art by Kathy Degliantoni is on display at the Bear Valley Visitor Center through October.