Morning hikers watch clouds drift along the ridgeline as they make their way up Emigdio Canyon. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
The 99,000-acre preserve is about 90 miles north of Los Angeles.
A tri-colored blackbird in the nettles at the Los Lobos Wetlands inside the preserve. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Preserve manager Landon Peppel on a hillside filled with poppies. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
A raptor looks out from its perch along San Emigdio Canyon in the preserve. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Dan York of the Wildlands Conservancy walks at sunset near the Eagles Nest area in the east end of the preserve. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
A raptor cruises above the preserve. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
A bull elk runs through a field inside the preserve. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Members of the Southwest Bird Study Club set up near the Los Lobos Wetlands area inside the preserve. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
