Birds on the brain: Winter Bird Festival 2020 takes flight

Love nature? Eager to soar with the eagles? Then pack your bags and day-trip down to Galt because the 13th annual Winter Bird Festival takes flight this Saturday, February 1!

From 10 AM to 4 PM, join in this celebration of birds at the Chabolla Community Center (600 Chabolla Ave. in Galt), featuring workshops, presentations and tours. Nature enthusiasts of all ages can learn more about local birds, including bald eagles, as well as useful tips for how to build bird houses and photograph birds in the wild.

For additional fees, there will also be activities for adults like a “paint and sip” ($45/person) at Cosumnes River Preserve’s Barn, and a variety of tours led by wildlife biologists, field ornithologists, and local vintners (price varies, depending on tour; see the festival brochure for complete details).

Keynote speaker Jeffrey Rich, author of Bald Eagles in the Wild, will share his photography and personal stories about America’s official bird. Sandhill Cranes will also be spotlighted at the festival, with two available tours focused on viewing the birds in their natural habitat at sunrise and sunset.

Bald-Eagles

Chocoholics, assemble! It’s time for the annual Sacramento Chocolate Salon

If you love chocolate (and, really, who doesn’t?), then today’s your favorite day of the year: it’s time for the annual Sacramento Chocolate Salon!

From 11 AM to 5 PM at the Citizen Hotel (926 J Street), artisan chocolatiers will be presenting their wares to the lucky ticketed public. (Tragically, there are no tickets available at the door!) All tastings, presentations and events are included with the ticket price of $16.50 per person, which is a steal of a deal if you ask me.

If you couldn’t procure a ticket to today’s event, don’t worry! You can still follow along with the fun on Instagram. Then, mark your calendar for March 21 so you can snag a ticket to the event as it passes through the Bay Area!

For those who prefer to research these fine chocolate makers on their own time, here’s a list of this year’s participating chocolatiers: