{"id":227924,"date":"2015-01-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-16T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/signs-of-valentines-at-mission-trails-regional-park\/"},"modified":"2015-01-16T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-01-16T08:00:00","slug":"signs-of-valentines-at-mission-trails-regional-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/signs-of-valentines-at-mission-trails-regional-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs of Valentines at Mission Trails Regional Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Audrey F. Baker<\/p>\n

February, highlighted by Valentine\u2019s Day, is the month of romance. What better way to express your love of nature than by enjoying a walk in the park? With fresh, green growth and songbirds chiming their rhythms, sage and chaparral are exhibiting classic floral symbols of love.<\/p>\n

\"Coastal<\/a>
Coastal Prickly Pear Cactus (Photo by Audrey Baker)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Entwining vines of wild cucumber speak of embraces, and dense buddings of California Everlasting voice eternal devotion.<\/p>\n

Rosetted Lance-Leaf Dudleya, magically growing on rocky slopes, attests to the strength gained from commitment and the willingness to overcome obstacles to flourish.<\/p>\n

Even the inhospitable Coastal Prickly Pear Cactus contributes its sentiment, by displaying its own tribute, heart-shaped pads.<\/p>\n

Take your inspiration from the voice of nature. Come delight in our February offerings.<\/p>\n

Our MTRP Trail Guide walks<\/strong> are an opportunity to learn more about natural Southern California, with its unique landscapes, habitats, local history and 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!<\/p>\n

Morning walks<\/strong> are offered every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. You\u2019ll start from the park\u2019s Visitor and Interpretive Center, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. The walk beginning from the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Entry Station, Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, at the San Carlos \u2013 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. We meet by the flag poles.<\/p>\n

Wildlife Tracking<\/strong> reveals the secret life 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. on Saturday, Feb. 7 in front of the Visitor Center for a two-hour tracking adventure.<\/p>\n

Reading with the Ranger<\/strong> combines a captivating nature story with an embellishing activity and an arts-and-crafts project based on the story theme. Ranger Heidi invites five- to seven-year-olds to join her on Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 \u2013 11 a.m. and eight- to 10-year-olds to attend on Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 \u2013 11 a.m. Reserve your spot at 619-668-3279 to meet Ranger Heidi in the Visitor Center Library.<\/p>\n

Discovery Table:<\/strong> Owl Pellets<\/strong> is hands-on science presented by MTRP Trail Guides. You\u2019ll dissect an owl pellet to discover what scientists learn when using this important tool to enhance their knowledge of our fascinating nighttime fliers. See you Saturday, Feb. 14 between 10 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m. inside the Visitor Center.<\/p>\n

Star Party Marvels<\/strong> is your invitation to participate in solar exploration along with MTRP Resident Star Gazer George Varga. He\u2019ll be scanning the skies for the Orion Nebula, Little Bee Hive in Canis Major, Open Clusters M36, 37 and 38 in Auriga and more! We observe from 5:30 \u2013 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14. (Rain\/cloud cover cancel.) Meet us at the far end of the Kumeyaay Campground day use parking lot.<\/p>\n

La Mesa Walk \u2018n Talk<\/strong> combines a stroll with your MTRP Trail Guide along Lake Murray\u2019s scenic and teaming shores with conversations in nature. On Tuesday, Feb. 17, we\u2019ll chat up, \u201cOur Rain\/No-Rain Water Cycle,\u201d and explore how local plant species resourcefully fight this survival challenge. Join us 9 \u201310:30 a.m., starting from the boat docks, Lake Murray, 5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa.<\/p>\n

\"Lance-Leafed<\/a>
Lance-Leafed Dudleya (Photo by Audrey Baker)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bird Oak Grove Loop<\/strong> features expert MTRP birders Jeanne Raimond and Millie Basden on avian adventure among the trail\u2019s varied landscapes. Winter months are the best birding time, as many migratory species are sighted along with local resident birds. Bring binoculars and bird book if you\u2019ve got \u2018em. See you Saturday, Feb. 21, 8 \u2013 10 a.m. in front of the Visitor Center.<\/p>\n

Family Discovery Walk,<\/strong> our essential \u201cfamily time\u201d experience, connects your little ones to nature. This interactive outing for parents and their children focuses on childhood enrichment and fun along the trail! Meet inside the Visitor Center on Sunday, Feb. 22, 3 \u2013 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Birding Basics,<\/strong> the 90-minute class conducted by Mission Trails Bird Guide Winona Sollock, teaches five simple techniques to identify birds \u201cat a glance!\u201d You\u2019ll also pick up tips on bird field guide use. (Bringing one is optional.) Class meets on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 1 \u2013 2:30 p.m. inside the Visitor Center.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, come on out and enjoy the park!<\/p>\n

Visita www.mtrp.org<\/a> 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 caxtmann@mtrp.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Audrey F. Baker is a trail guide at Mission Trails Regional Park. <\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Audrey F. Baker February, highlighted by Valentine\u2019s Day, is the month of romance. What better way to express your love of nature than by enjoying a walk in the park? With fresh, green growth and songbirds chiming their rhythms, sage and chaparral are exhibiting classic floral symbols of love.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":732,"featured_media":227925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"11558","_seopress_titles_title":"Signs of Valentines at Mission Trails Regional Park","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[11547,11558,11551],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-227924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-mission-times-courier","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/732"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=227924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/227925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=227924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=227924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=227924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}