Outdoors
The Chirping of Crickets tells us the warmer weather of summer is well on its way. Their plaintive pleadings for mates are heard wherever bits of semi-natural scenery cut across the urban tapestry of San …
June Gloom, the cool and intermittently overcast conditions likely to dominate the beach and coastal areas through the remainder of June, mocks the already sizzling temperatures inland. If it weren’t for the ocean’s enormous resistance …
Spring Wildflowers have largely dried up in many areas of San Diego County, but in the cooler coastal enclaves such as Cabrillo National Monument and Torrey Pines State Reserve, several kinds remain. Look for paintbrush, …
May Gray or June Gloom, the generally dreary, overcast, late spring weather along San Diego’s coastline, has already begun and could intensify next month. Occasionally, the low clouds will stick around for several days. This …
Rabbit and Rodent populations are peaking in the canyons and hillsides of coastal San Diego County. In many neighborhoods, car headlights illuminate the rear ends of scampering cottontail rabbits making raids on succulent garden vegetation. …
San Diego’s Coastal Wildflower Bloom continues on north-facing slopes and in shady canyon bottoms, where the sun’s drying effects have not yet taken hold, look for native red monkeyflower, blue-eyed grass, wild hyacinth, and nonnatives …
The Silk Oak Tree, a fast-growing import from Australia, comes into short-lived glory this month. Golden flower clusters decorate the silvery-green branches, an effect that is particularly stunning when seen in contrast to the blue-blossoming …
April’s Lowest Tides, associated with the full moon, drop to as low as -0.58 feet on Monday, April 25. On Monday at 12:59 pm, the tide bottoms out at -0.58 feet. Tuesday’s lowest tide of …
Grunion Runs are predicted to occur during the late evening hours (generally after 10 pm and before 1 am), following the nocturnal high tide, on April 17 and 18. The small, silvery grunion tend to …
Snakes, encouraged by recent warm temperatures, have already emerged from burrows and rock crevices to hunt for prey throughout the county’s lower-elevation hillsides and canyons. Gopher snakes, garter snakes, king snakes, rosy boas (all harmless), …
Yuccas of two varieties are in bloom in San Diego County from now through May. Year after year, the Mojave yucca Yucca schidigera sends up a blunt flower stalk of white, waxy blossoms from the …