Thursday, January 29, 2015
The full moon rises on Tuesday, February 3. Early wildflowers, such as milkmaids (four-petalled white flowers with a dash of rose), are flowering in shaded areas, as well as exotic [i.e., non-native] yellow-flowered acacia trees.
Northern elephant seals are moving into their most active periods with the largest numbers on beaches. South bound gray whale sightings are tapering off from earlier high numbers, but will be rising in March during the return [north-bound] migration.
Just before the holidays, the annual tule elk count was completed for Tomales point: 286 total. The herd is composed of 168 cows, 23 calves, 10 spike antlered males (younger), and 85 branch antler males. The numbers are similar to the 1990s.
Park visitor centers will be open the Presidents Day weekend. If the weather is clear, shuttles will operate through the three-day weekend.
Highway 1 south of Muir Beach has been re-opened after repairs were completed to fix damage caused by December's storms.