The full moon of Tuesday, Jan. 14 brings extra-high morning tides of six feet and higher, so plan for afternoon beach explorations. This full moon is called the “wolf moon” by the Old Farmer’s Almanac due to the sound of wolves howling in snowy conditions. We have yet to see the return of wolves in this part of California, though packs have been observed in northeastern parts of the state. Instead, early risers in the Olema Valley may hear coyotes howling around the dawn hours.
Spring is still a way off, but don’t tell the golden-yellow daffodils blooming on Bear Valley Road, which seem to be enjoying these sunny days. If your travels have been through the woods, you may have noticed white foam on some fir trees. Dust and airborne chemicals that contain phosphates land on bark during dry periods. Then, in heavy rainfall, they are washed off, as in a washing machine’s agitation. It’s called stem flow.
Seashore visitor centers, roads and trails remain open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The lighthouse has returned to off-season hours: Thursdays through Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.