Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta
Join us for an adventurous day aboard the boat Delphinus as we explore the cultural and natural history of this critical area of our state. What is the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and why is it important? What was it like when first discovered by Europeans and who lived here? What has happened to this area in the last 200 years and what are we looking at for the future? Witness first-hand the levees, wetland areas, bird-life and people that all try to co-exist here. A visit to the wonderful Rio Vista Museum and lunch at a local restaurant are part of this cruise.
Birds of the Delta
Enjoy a specialized look at the California Delta when bird life is abundant. On this trip the last few years, participants have sighted six or more species of hawks in the first hour, including a nesting pair of peregrine falcons. You can also expect to see Swainson hawks, owls, and thousands of waterfowl including tundra swans, snow geese, Canada geese, ducks, and sandhill cranes. A professional bird leader will be onboard.
Heart of the Delta
Discover the Delta, the hidden heart of California, its watering hole and the source of over 50% of the water used in the state. It's fascinating. In the midst of the arid Central Valley, there are hundreds of miles of rivers, sloughs, and canals forming a maze of waterways connecting the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.
This is also the richest and rarest terrestrial habitat in the state. Streamside forests mingle with freshwater marshes creating a wildlife paradise. River otters, beavers, and muskrats are commonly seen as well as numerous birds.