You Mon Tsang March 10th, 2010
Here’s the latest happenings inside the Park:
Where are the Whales? Speculation continues that whales stayed feeding longer in the Arctic seas and delayed the annual migration south – delaying the return north. Sightings at the lighthouse continue to be sparse; high spring winds also contribute to limited opportunities to view whales.
Wildflowers blooming, plenty of fragrant creamy yellow wallflowers along the Lighthouse; daffodils at the old Glen Ranch/Hostel area. Brilliant Douglas iris are appearing in patches along Sir Francis Drake Highway. Other signs of spring, male deer sprouting velvet covered antlers.
Mark your calendars, on Thursday, March 11 at noon – park intern from the Republic of Soviet Georgia sister park Kolkheti National Park will present a show on this beautiful sea coast area. Free and open to the public.
Lovely new watercolors of park landscapes by Ayris Hatton are on display at the Bear Valley Visitor center through March and April.
Photo courtesy of Jun Belen
You Mon Tsang April 23rd, 2009
What’s happening in the park in late April 2009.
- The rains means more wildflowers! Chimney Rock is in peak condition, with the yellow Indian Paintbrush coming in. The pastures at Bear Valley are purple with tiny Sky Lupines. There are rumors of dogwood flowering on Bear Valley Trail.
- Poison Oak is also enjoying a banner year – leaves of three let it be – it can be a shrub or a climbing vine. Also, I teach my son “If it’s shiny, watch your hiney.”
- Last of the grey whales moving north, the third phase of the annual movement is the mother and calf pairs passing the Lighthouse; a couple of pairs have been seen each day over the past week.
- The first string enclosures to protect snowy plover nests are being put up on the Great Beach; nesting activities have been observed, so far, no eggs.
These are highlights from the National Park Service Park Wavelengths newsletter. Photo by Pat Ulrich.
You Mon Tsang April 7th, 2009
What’s happening in the park in early April 2009.
- Park campgrounds are extra full this week and next; about a 5% raise over last year. Looks like folks are staying closer to home this year.
- Some positive fish news: smolt trapping (one year old fish – ready to go to the ocean) found 144 coho in Olema Creek and 8 in Redwood Creek at Muir Woods!
- Birders watching quail at Bear Valley also noted a bobcat at the Horse Ranch snacking on a mouse!
- Wildflowers continue to bloom especially with the extra dollop of rain this week! Poppies and lupine in the fields at Bear Valley. Tidy tips just beginning at Chimney Rock along with Baby Blue eyes! Creamy yellow wallflowers fragrance the steps at the Lighthouse. Many species coming out.
- Shuttle Bus service ends this weekend; Easter Sunday will be the last day of service for this years season
These are highlights from the National Park Service
Park Wavelengths newsletter.
You Mon Tsang March 25th, 2009
What’s happening in the park in late March 2009.
- Sounds like whale watching can be real hit or miss: “one day 5-10 per hour – the next day fog and wind and no whales to been seen! On calm days, excellent viewing from the Lighthouse area but with recent winds and fogs, numbers have been low. They will continue northward throughout April.”
- Look for large displays of purple Douglas Iris at the Estero Trail head, spikes of creamy yellow ‘Red Elderberry’ along the roadsides, Chocolate Lilies (fritillaries) at the Peter Behr Overlook at Drakes Beach, and tiny lavender Ceanothus blooms are bursting on these dark green shrubs.
These are highlights from the National Park Service Park Wavelengths newsletter.
You Mon Tsang March 18th, 2009
This photo was taken by long-time friend of Point Reyes, Terrie of permie.net. She said that these wildflowers were “along the trail at Point Reyes Bird Observatory’s Palomarin field station. Nice little trail there. “
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