Notes about your surroundings

Cheep seed--If you ordered wild-bird seed mix or sunflower seeds from the Sea & Sage chapter of the Audubon Society, it’s pickup time.

The seeds will be distributed in the parking lot next to the Audubon House from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

To get to the Audubon House, take the San Diego Freeway to the Jamboree Road exit and 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 Sea & Sage chapter office at (714) 261-7963.

Crystal clear--Pull on those hiking boots and head to Crystal Cove State Park and El Moro Canyon. Lower temperatures and a great cliff top promise to make freeways and traffic seem a million miles away.

Crystal Cove State Park is one of the last undeveloped areas along Orange County’s coast. The park includes 3.25 miles of coastline and bluffs. El Moro Canyon has an additional 18 miles of multiple-use trails available to horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers.

Organized walks are led by Crystal Cove State Park rangers on Saturdays and Sundays. During these interpretive walks, the rangers will point out particular native plants and wildlife, as well as answer any questions.

Plant life includes coastal sage scrub and bush sunflower. Among park wildlife are California quail and southern mule deer.

A three-hour back-country hike will start Saturday. at 9 a.m. Expect to hike three to five miles. Bring drinking water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. At 1 p.m., rangers will lead a two-hour walk along the shoreline and through tide pools.

Crystal Cove State Park is between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach on Coast Highway. The park is open from 6 a.m. to sunset daily.

For more information, or to arrange a special interpretive program, call (714) 494-3539.