Wikimedia Commons / PKM

California Wild Rose (Rosa Californica) can survive drought conditions but thrives in moist soil close to water.

Wild Rose, A California Native, Is In Bloom in San Diego County’s foothills and mountains. In moist, lowland areas and along small watercourses, wild rose shows off small, open-faced flowers in shades of pink that range from near-white to magenta. By June and July, the rose bloom will reach the Laguna Mountains, where the plant grows in abundance in shady locales.

The Southern Pacific rattlesnake is one of the most commonly known species of rattlesnakes that inhabits Camp Pendleton. It is one of three poisonous rattlesnakes on base. The other two include the California Red Diamond and Southern Speckled rattlesnakes.

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), and three varieties of rattlesnakes — red diamond, speckled, and Southern Pacific (all venomous) — have been sighted. Close encounters with rattlesnakes are not uncommon wherever residential properties abut undeveloped land — a common situation throughout San Diego County.

First-quarter Moon

Juan Hernandez Jr

On May 15th, If We Have Clear Skies, We’ll See The Moon Half-Lit displaying a beautiful quarter moon. Why is it called a quarter moon and not a half moon? Because it is a quarter of the way through its cycle from new moon to full moon and back. The right side of the moon is illuminated during the first quarter and the left side during the third quarter. And despite being half in shadow, the quarter moon provides more surface details of the moon’s face. During the full moon phase, the sun is shining straight onto the moon’s surface. A quarter moon gets more shadowing light showing, off more of the moon’s mountains and craters.