ENVIRONMENT : Notes about your surroundings

Living Bay Sights--With early spring flowers starting to bloom and hundreds of ducks around, it’s a good time to explore the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. On Saturday, free tours will be given by the Friends of Newport Bay, leaving every 10 or 15 minutes from 9 to 10:15 a.m. from the corner of Eastbluff and Backbay drives. During the two-hour walk, there will be stops for exhibits and explanations of the bay’s history and importance. Bird watchers may see ospreys, egrets and great blue herons. Comfortable shoes, a hat, binoculars and a bird book are recommended. The last tour of the season is March 13. Information: Dick Kust, (949) 786-8878.

Marine Lore--How is Keiko the whale, star of “Free Willy,” faring in the wild? What marine mammals can be spotted off our coast? These subjects are covered in a free lecture series offered by the Orange County Marine Institute on weekends in February and March. The programs begin at 11:30 a.m. at the institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. Today’s talk is “Thar She Blows! Identifying Marine Mammals Off Dana Point.” The complete schedule is: “Harvesting Gray Whales in the ‘90s? Putting the Endangered Species Act to the Test” on Feb. 14 and 28; “San Ignacio Lagoon: Gray Whale Nursery Versus New Salt Mine,” Feb. 20; “Acoustical Research: Good Science or Noise Pollution for Marine Mammals?” Feb. 21; and “Releasing Captive Marine Mammals Back Into the Wild, a Case Study of Keiko the Killer Whale” on Feb. 27. The topics repeat in March. Information: (949) 496-2274.

Bear in Mind--Mingo Morvin, a nature photographer and climber, will share his experiences photographing bears in the Sierras at the potluck meeting Monday of the Orange County Sierra Singles. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Dinner is $2 to $7; $2 for the program only.

* Send items for consideration to Vicky Clepper, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Fax: (714) 966-7711.