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AT THE RAPTOR CENTER

The California Raptor Center is welcoming the public to an open house, free of charge, on Nov. 21.

Activities begin with a Hawk Walk at 8 a.m. (meet at the gate to the raptor center), followed by the open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special presentations are set for 10 a.m. and noon, focusing on raptor biology and ecology.

The raptor center, a program of the School of Veterinary Medicine, cares for injured raptor, rehabilitating and releasing them back to the wild—provided that they are judged suitable to survive on their own.

Directions: Take the ºÙºÙÊÓƵ exit from Interstate 80 and turn south on Old Davis Road. Cross the railroad tracks and continue until just before the Putah Creek bridge. Turn left onto the paved levee road. Follow it for two-tenths of a mile and keep on the pavement as the road veers left, taking you down off the levee. Then make a quick right turn into the free parking area.

AT STEBBINS COLD CANYON: Nature Adventures

Bobcat Ranch: A Place to Explore! — 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. Alex Palmerlee, manager of the 6,800-acre ranch northeast of Stebbins Cold Canyon, leads this moderate hike, highlighting the ranch’s wildlife and habitats. Meeting time and place: 8:30 a.m., Steady Eddy’s in Winters.

Basic Botany: A Way to ID Plants — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Barbara Byrne leads this easy hike, offering instruction on fundamentals of plant anatomy.

Loop Trail: What Are You Thankful For? — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Five miles, with 1,200-foot elevation gain (with many steps), showcasing distinctive changes in the plant communities and breathtaking views in all directions; if there has been recent rain, look for waterfalls. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring a snack and at least a liter of water.

Animal Tracking — 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 5, at Lake Solano. Foxes, mink, coyotes and other mammals usually stay out of sight, but they always leave behind clues to tell you they were there. Sean Clemenza helps you learn how to read the clues and see the landscape through animal eyes. Meet in the day-use parking lot.

Gesture Drawing — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Alison Kent offers instruction on how to train your hand to draw what your eyes see — before your brain gets in the way. Make holiday cards from your gesture drawings! Bring pens, markers, crayons and-or colored pencils.

Botanical Drawing — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Botanist Ruth Williams will lead participants through the process of observing key details of flowers and forbs, and show you how to create visual, botanically accurate renderings of native plants. Materials will be provided, but you may bring your own sketchbooks and pencils if desired. In case of rain, bring an umbrella.

Winter Solstice: Renewal — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. Traverse the canyon on the shortest day of the year — a time for reflection and optimism as you observe the change in seasons

AT STEBBINS COLD CANYON: Nature's Theater

To Be a Tree (for ages 5-10) — 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 7.

Professor Planthead (for ages 6-10) — 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Nov. 8.

Birdman (for ages 4-8) — 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Dec. 6.

All activities are open to the public. Optional fees: $5 per person or $10 per family. Activities fill up fast; reservations are required. E-mail Jeff Falyn, jfalyn@ucdavis.edu, with your name, address, event date, and phone number and-or e-mail address, and indicate whether you need directions. More information and the complete schedule: .