Have made a few changes as of late. For the moment, I’ve drop the Clam Chatter section. I like the idea of that but don’t think I have the right tools for it, yet. Certainly not many using that section. Seems clunky to me, so I can’t blame you. I guess I’m back on track with the original philosophy of the site: to try different things and see how they work. As usual, your suggestions are of great interest, though I can’t always comply. Example, viewing more of the beach. We have what we have. Still, keep the ideas flowing as they occur.

And I hope you have some exciting things planned for summer.

For those wanting to connect with other ClamCammers, the Clam is trying a Chat Room, Clam Chatter. Perhaps it’s a good place to make suggestions? Or just commentary. While there is a sign up area at the bottom of the chat box which lets you create a profile, you can click  the Chat Anonymously area to avoid having to enter any unnecessary info! Give it a try.

As hurricane season ramps up, you can get a good perspective of those rascals by going to Ocean / Satellite – Big Picture. Presumedly shot from one of those 22,000 -mile, fixed orbit satellites, the picuture often shows a series of storms developing off the coast of Africa, then moving across the Atlantic. Might be time for the bi-valves to do a deep sand dive!

The camera will often be aimed toward the Pebble Beach Golf Course this week while the US Open is on. The fairway you see, with players walking left to right, is 11. And bobbing heads and walking bodies beyond are probably on Fairway 10. The weather is what I’d call “normal”: overcast and cool! Later in the week the forecast suggests sun, something we central coasters don’t see so much of. But we’re a hardy lot!

FYI: For the past several years, the clam bed has been twittering over the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and now the iPad. These 3 cool Apple products are the only such devices that can view the CarmelClam Cam! None of Verizon’s cool smart phones will work with the CC! How about the Android or the G1? Alas, I guess not. Any others? Doubt it. If anyone knows of another cell phone that will allow viewing the streaming video of the CC, let me know.

So the good news is that if you have one of the above-mentioned Apple products, it will work with the Carmelclam Cam.

I’m a big fan of the ISS, the International Space Station. From my vantage point, I have an open sky to the west, starting at the earth’s limb (ocean) to an unobstructed sky overhead. Tonight was a good passage, starting in the SSW and moving to the ENE part of the sky at an elevation of 50°. There are currently 6 people onboard. If you’re interested, try: http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ You’ll be able to find your own location and can observe this common experience with the rest of us. Highly recommended.

Well all you clam diggers: did you run the race? It was warm yesterday (for a change), as least at the finish line at the Crossroads. Local (regional) guy won it. For you who haven’t (and maybe never will) run the course, it’s starts in Big Sur at the 26.2 mile mark and it’s a straight run north until you hit the finish line. Plenty of hills and a cool ocean breeze to contend with. If you like running a shorter course, there’s a relay, and a 10.6 mile course which starts around Rocky Point. Looked like everyone was having a good time. Congratulations to all the participants and supporters.

Another one of those astronomical events: Venus and Mercury up in the sky together! I’ll put a pic up on the Homepage. Have been told that many astronomers have never seen Mercury. Maybe just not that interesting? So, April 3-4, at sunset, are your best chances of catching this, I’m told. Mercury is normally hugging the sun, making seeing it difficult. Hope you did.

Is everyone ready for Spring?  It’s just around the corner. And warmer days seem in the offing, too. I’m planning on one more ski safari next week, being the Sierra Nevada snow base is so deep. In the meantime, the beach and ocean are recovering. In case you came to Carmel one summer and found an hour-glass-like white sandy beach but now there’s NO beach, little sand, just boulders and water, know that all is well. Once the storms abate, the sand returns! And it’s the same kind of sand as before. Fine white sand begats fine white sand, coarse brown sandy beaches produce coarse brown sand, etc.  Go a mile away to another beach that sports black pebbles and that beach will continue producing black pebbles! Little rock factories out there.

I love this rain! Won’t be here for too much longer, however. And of course the area can always use the extra rain. My “theory” is that wet winters make for foggy summers. Those of you who spend time around here in the summer know what I’m talking about. And if you’re visiting Carmel in the summer, bring all your winter clothes!