Floss Silks, Black Oaks, and Autumn Leaves
The Floss Silk Tree, a conspicuous "autumn bloomer" here and there around San Diego, has been showing off its pinkish or purplish, hibiscus-like flowers for at least a month now. The broad, heavy trunks of this South American import, studded …
Blood Moon Tonight
The Full Moon rises majestically in the east at around 5:50pm on Friday, October 22, some 15 minutes before the time of sunset. If the skies are clear, this is a perfect time to take a late afternoon walk and …
The Orionid Meteor Shower
One of the year's five best annual showers, the Orionid Meteor Shower, peaks on the morning of Thursday, October 21. Unfortunately, the nearly full moon's glare will hamper observations of the meteors all night long. Despite the moon glare, and …
Ground Fog, Spider Webs, and Chinese Flame Trees
Dense Ground Fogs are a trademark of the onset of autumn along San Diego's coastal strip. Fog materializes during the night and early morning hours when moist marine air that has settled in valleys and low areas is chilled below …
Low Tides, a Waxing Crescent Moon, and Jupiter's Satellites
October's Lowest Tides, coinciding with afternoon hours several days in a row, usher in several months of excellent tidepooling opportunities. A -0.6 foot tide occurs at 3:34pm on the Thursday, October 7. A -0.8 foot tide occurs at 4:20pm on …
Smog, Fall Migrant Birds, and Coastal Sage
The Smoggiest Days of the Year are most likely to occur during the next several weeks. Persistent temperature inversions (warmer air overlying cool marine air) are frequent this time of year. These inversions conspire with the mountainous topography of East …