I had a picnic at Folsom Lake on Sunday. Who would believe we’re still having sunny days to enjoy our beautiful lake. We walked in at the levee entrance at Sophia Parkway and GreenValley Road in El Dorado Hills and found we weren’t the only ones with the same idea. Boaters, families, individuals with dogs, Whipperwils, Seagulls, Geese and a lone Loon populated the lake. Hikers, Cyclists, Equestrians, and nature enthusiasts alike enjoy the many trails. One of the popular trails leads to Brown’s Ravine in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area that is home to the Folsom Lake Yacht Club and Folsom lake Marina, also located on Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills. Although only the brave would g

After a record-breaking attendance of more than 115,000 visitors last year, 28 Sacramento area museums will offer free or half-priced admission all day on Saturday, February 4, 2012, during the 14th Annual Sacramento Museum Day.  New this year, 26 of the 28 museums will offer free admission whereas two destinations located in residential areas -- the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town -- will offer half-priced admission to offset parking control and security costs.  This hugely popular community event is presented by the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) and proudly supported by Umpqua Bank. Sacramento Museum event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the last guests admitted at 4 p.m.).

The endangered Delta smelt population has made strides to recovery, nearly doubling in population over the past year, according to California Department of Fish and Game officials. That population increase, however, represents a small percentage of its historical population, according to a Wednesday DFG press release. Since counting the fish to find exact numbers would be nearly impossible, DFG collects smaller samples and counts the number of fish in the samples to get an indication of the larger population. The average number of young Delta smelt per sample doubled from 3.8 last year to 8.0 this year, but is a far cry from the height of 39.7 in 1999. Adult Delta smelt also doubled th

A Swainson's Hawk soars above Sutter's Landing Park this afternoon. Sutter’s Landing Park is one of the only urban locations in the region where Swainson’s hawks can be seen and appreciated. Urbanization tends to drive away the hawks, which are rarely viewable outside rural areas. SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

One mourning dove dines while another flies away after enjoying a snack in my East Sac backyard. The feeder is for smaller birds, like the House Finch, but these big guys were able to partake in a nice snack of Nyjer Seed, no problem. The Mourning Dove diet consists of mainly small dry seeds, forcing a dependance on drinking water throughout the year. However, with their strong ability to fly they do not need to stay near waterholes. Doves drink continuously, by sucking and swallowing, up to six times faster than other birds, reducing the time required at available water. This is important as most predators are known to ambush their prey  while drinking. SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

As a new resident to the Sacramento area, I recently discovered and fell in love with Mckinley Park. Yesterday, was my third visit; unfortunately, it may also be my last.  What I witnessed yesterday was nothing short of appalling and disappointing—appalling because it appears that Sacramento residents do not care about wildlife or the environment, and disappointing because it appears that the City of Sacramento does not care about wildlife, the environment, or the residents of Sacramento. The above photos clearly illustrate what I witnessed yesterday at the duck pond.  Loaves and pieces of bread were left on benches, inside the pond, and all around the pond.  Empty plastic bags that once

 American River Parkway, 5:33 PM. I'm not saying this bunny is necessarily the one. I'm just saying I photographed him on Easter.

On Wednesday a wild turkey was spotted in the Newton Booth neighborhood...and not the sort you find at the Round Corner, but the feathered kind, at the corner of 27th and V in the field across from the old Newton Booth school. According to neighborhood resident Morris Lum: "a turkey was spotted at the vacant lot at 27th Vst it flew up the tree and walked across the freeway ramp and back he's peck'n around the grass watch out for the big claws wed 6pm I put out a plate of mashed potaoes and cranberries for it to eat . . . : )" Wildlife isn't unknown in Midtown, mostly creatures like opossums, skunks, and the occasional raccoon. A wild turkey is something kind of unusual around here, and