By Audrey F. Baker, Trail Guide

It’s been observed that nature’s beauty is revealed in the details. As the park transitions into the cooler temperatures of autumn, it invites a closer look at the colorful and expressive hand of nature.

A moment taken in following the jagged flight of a sulfur butterfly, or the path of a falling yellowed cottonwood leaf, can reveal powerful murmured messages from nature that congeal your thoughts.

Visiting Kumeyaay Lake to take in the reflection of sky and trees on its mirrored surface and to scan its shores for the presence of a blue heron or snow-white egret, offers tranquility.

It’s the time to relax under a hoary, weathered oak, allowing your soaring imagination to create its own Halloween excursion into the haunting world of Ichabod Crane and sleepy hallows.

As you walk the trail, taking in details of landscapes and vignettes of nature, an inviting boulder may serve as the perfect vantage point to observe a warbler camouflaging itself in the thickness of Broom Baccharis.

One thing’s for certain, this is a great time of year to deeply delve into the many offerings of Mission Trails Regional Park.

Our MTRP Trail Guide walks are an excellent opportunity to learn more about natural Southern California, with its unique landscapes, habitats, local history, and diverse plant and animal life. The walks are free, interesting, fact-filled, and geared to all ages and interests. Grab sturdy shoes, that comfortable hat, water bottle and sunscreen and hit the trail!

Morning walks are offered every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. You’ll start from the park’s Visitor and Interpretive Center, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. The walk beginning from the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Entry Station, 2 Father Junipero Serra Trail, at the San Carlos-Santee border, gives a different perspective of the park and its diverse habitats. These walks are offered from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and take in historic Old Mission Dam.

“Wildlife Tracking” reveals the secret lives of animals and brings insight into their survival techniques and habits. Tracking Team members assist in identifying and interpreting tracks, scat and habitats. Join us at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3 in front of the Visitor Center for a two-hour tracking adventure.

“Discovery Table: Lizards of MTRP” familiarizes you with the wide variety of lizards found at the park. Stop by for hands-on science with MTRP Trail Guides and try your skill matching each lizard with its identity clues. Inside the Visitor Center, Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bird Kumeyaay Lake with MTRP Resident Birders Jeanne Raimond and Millie Basden in search of migrant and local bird species populating the lake and its surrounding habitats. Binoculars and a bird book are recommended. See you Saturday, Oct. 17 from 8 to 10 a.m. We meet in the day-use parking lot, Kumeyaay Campground Entry Station.

“Star Party Luminaries” sparkle under a crescent, waxing moon. MTRP Resident Star Gazer George Varga tells us the high-positioned Summer Triangle will afford viewing of the Ring Nebula (M57), binary star Albireo in Cygnus, the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) and the Coathanger (Brocchi’s or Collinder 399). Join us as George scopes in these and additional clusters. Clouding/rain cancels. See you Saturday, Oct. 17 between 6 and 9 p.m. at the far end of the Kumeyaay Campground Day-Use Parking Lot.

“La Mesa Walk ‘n Talk” is an opportunity to walk scenic shores with your MTRP Trail Guide as we “chat up” this month’s topic in nature, “Does San Diego Have Seasons?” From acorns to sycamore leaves, we’ll check out the signs nature reveals as we walk waterfront environs. See you Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9 to 10:30 a.m. We meet at the boat docks, Lake Murray, 5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa.

“Family Discovery Walk” connects your little ones to nature through discovering its wonder, joy and beauty as a family experience. The interactive outing focuses on childhood enrichment and fun. Meet us inside the Visitor Center on Sunday, Oct. 25, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

“Birding Basics,” the 90-minute class conducted by Mission Trails Bird Guide Winona Sollock, teaches five simple techniques to identify birds “at a glance.” You’ll also pick up tips on bird field guide use. (Bringing one is optional.) Class meets on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. inside the Visitor Center.

Meanwhile, come on out and enjoy the park!

Visit www.mtrp.org for more information and our events calendar, or call 619-668-3281. Special walks can be arranged for any club, group, business or school by contacting Ranger Chris Axtmann at 619-668-2746 or at [email protected].

–Audrey F. Baker is a Trail Guide at Mission trails Regional Park.