Wikimedia Commons/Dcrjsr

Mule deer are named for their large ears which look like those of a mule.

Mule Deer by the dozens continue to roam through the 25,000 acre Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Take an early-morning drive down Highway 79 through the park, and you’ll likely spot deer on or near the road.

Wild Oats, Foxtails, and other non-native grasses growing around San Diego have mostly turned gold, but other varieties of wild grass, such as rye, remain green in some areas. Yellow waves of wild mustard continue to put on a good show, especially on the steep slopes and road cuts overlooking several of the local freeways.

The Mariposa Lily (Calochortus aureus) is a bulb-forming perennial native to the southwestern United States.

Wikimedia Commons/Tilman

Wild Hyacinths and Mariposa Lilies have popped out on San Diego’s hillsides. Both flowers arise from underground bulbs, and were considered delicacies by the California Indians.

San Diego Mountain Lilac (ceanothus cyaneus), on the right (east) fork of the Rattlesnake Canyon trail, in Poway.

Wild Lilac (Ceanothus) is Currently Blooming in San Diego County, mostly at elevations higher than 4000 feet. Blossom colors range from pure white to various shades of blue or lavender. Some fine examples may be seen along the upper Noble Canyon Trail in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area atop Mt. Laguna.

A willet trolls the surf at low tide.

May’s highest and lowest tides are occuring this week. On Thursday the 18th, the tides rise to 6.73 feet at 9:10 pm and then recede to -1.21 feet the following morning at 4:21 am, and on Friday the 19th, the high tide is 6.66 feet at 9:42 pm and then recedes to -1.18 feet at 4:53 am.

Look up in the sky on May 19 and you’ll notice that the moon is missing. That’s because the new moon has arrived. It’s also a good day to start your summer garden. While the moon’s gravitational pull famously affects the ocean’s tides, the cycles of the moon also affect moisture levels in the soil and assist plant growth.