Hello Friends,

The sunday before the students came the ocean roared with 20 foot waves and perfect conditions. Surfers rode one of the biggest waves in the world at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Venus, Jupiter and the Moon were aligned and the weather was perfect for the beginning of another week at the outdoor school.

The weather was foggy on Monday and Tuesday morning and evening with moments of sun inbetween. The fog kept the nights warmer but as the fog went away in the later half of the week, the nights were COLD!, 39 degrees in the morning, but the days were nice and warm in the sun. In many ways this is the best conditions for the outdoor school. The moisture has given life to the forest and we are still experiencing the fall migration of birds and marine mammals. How exciting, as you will see in this weeks Hot Spot:

1) 96 banana slugs in one day in the redwoods
3) Whales

Birds:
4) American Kestrel
5) Red Shouldered Hawk
6) Buffleheads
7) Coots
8) golden crowned sparrows
10) flocks of bushtits
11) Heard a great horned owl

Fungus:
1) Blewit
2) Amanita Coccora
3) King Bolete
4) Suillus
5) Dirt stars

Other Mammals:
1) Bobcat

I will record the rest of the list later. Our friend, Josh Stacy, is promising a more detailed list. Check out his picture on last weeks Hot Spot. Thanks my friends even if I am only writing to myself.