Notes about your surroundings

Nature Classes--Winter vacation nature classes will begin Monday at the Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim.

The half-day classes are designed for children ages 6 to 12.

Each session will include walks along the center’s trails, games, crafts, activities and live animal demonstrations.

Topics include “Baleens, Blues and Belugas,” “Creatures of the Night” and “Wild Weather.”

The Oak Canyon Nature Center is at 6700 Walnut Canyon Road, Anaheim. To reach it, take the Riverside Freeway east to the Imperial Highway exit. Go south to Nohl Ranch Road, turn left and travel about three miles to Walnut Canyon Road, and turn left again. Go past the Anaheim Hills Golf Course; the nature center is at the end of the road and parking is on the left.

For more information and sign-ups, call (714) 998-8380.

House Visits--The Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society opened its Audubon House in Irvine in 1992. Visitors are welcome.

The house features a collection of stuffed birds, books on nature-related topics, and nature and environmental videos to check out.

The chapter also offers items for sale, including birding book bags, binocular straps, bird feeders, wild bird seed, nature-themed T-shirts, birders’ guidebooks and field guides.

The Audubon House is usually open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but will be closed Friday and Saturday and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for the holidays.

To reach the Audubon House, take the San Diego Freeway to the Jamboree Road exit, head south. Turn left at Michelson Drive, then make a right at the second signal onto Irvine Ranch Water District property. Follow the paved road and “Duck Club” signs to the house.

For more information, call the Audubon House at (714) 261-7963.