Between March and July each year, herons and egrets return to nest in the tops of redwood trees in Picher Canyon. The numbers vary each year but usually totals more than 100 pairs, with Great Egrets making up the majority. The nesting birds can be viewed from across the small canyon, on comfortable viewing platforms built by volunteers. Stationary spotting scopes and binoculars are available for focusing in on the nests. Last weekend (May 27) the young were still in the nests, being fed by exhausted parents swooping down to the Bolinas Lagoon for the small fish to satisfy their young. The Ranch also sports a small museum with historic and nature photos of the area, a small bookstore and a bird hide where humans can observe small birds up close in their natural habitat without disturbing them. There is a natural pond inhabited by newts and other fun critters that kids can observe up close. A picnic area completes the picture and the amazing thing is that there is no entrance fee. The Ranch survives on donations and the efforts of volunteers. It was a terrific afternoon and I highly recommend it-kids or no. Check it out: www.Egret.org