Nature Lovers, Gazers Flock To 6th Annual Sonoma Event

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The sixth annual Wine Country Nature and Optics Festival, billed as the largest of its kind, drew hundreds Saturday to the downtown Sonoma Plaza. Some 60 nonprofit nature organizations along with artists were on hand to share resources and knowledge with something for the entire family.

Parked at the entrance to the festival on E. Spain Street in downtown Sonoma was a U.S. Fish & Wildlife boat with its large wind propeller used for patrolling waterways. Sitting on the highest seat was 3-year-old Tydain Schnabel with a big smile while his mother stood nearby.

A big part of enjoying nature is the use of binoculars or spotting scopes, judging from the number of exhibitors representing Nikon, Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, Pentax, Opticron, Celestron, Kowa and Manfrotto at the Sonoma event.

Among the popular exhibits was Wine Country Raptors with two birds on display: "Chance" a female Gyrmado falcon and "Nike," a Peregrine falcon. Falconer Chris Melancon held Nike, using an occasional spray from a water bottle to provide mist on the warm day. Kids and adults gathered to get close-up views and photos of the birds.

Another exhibit with a small donkey, goat and sheep was a favorite among young children.

Personnel from several parks and agencies, including California State Parks, Jack London State Historic Park, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance and Point Reyes National Seashore, were on hand.

Article and photos contributed by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com