Winter solstice in Walnut Creek

20 December 2009

Tomorrow is the winter solstice, the official "first day of winter" for the northern hemisphere and also the shortest day of the year. In San Francisco, the day length is about 9.5 hours, with sunrise at 7:20 AM and sunset at 4:53 PM.



After a brief cold snap a few weeks ago, the past days have been mild. Today, there was considerable low level winter haze in the air, especially east of the East Bay hills. The partly cloudy skies vacillated between the slate gray of a high winter overcast and sharply defined clouds around which the sun could peak out with bright rays.



Winter in northern California features elements that are not well synchronized with expectations. Here, the grasses are brown in September and October. Now, they are not-quite-bright green reflecting the combination of ample water but coolish temperatures and not enough sun for intense photosynthesis.



The deciduous buckeyes have completely lost their leaves. But some of the oaks are still in transition: I can't quite figure out whether the orange cast is the beginning of new life or the end of the old.



The trails are muddy.



These photos were all shot today at the Diablo Foothills Regional Park.