CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The 18th Annual Heron Festival, presented by the Redbud Audubon Society will be held at Redbud Park in Clearlake this Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The festival will feature nature booths, fascinating programs and children’s activities.

It is free and open to the public.

Pontoon boat rides will leave from Redbud Park to view the Great Blue Heron Rookery in Anderson Marsh; however tickets for the boat rides are now almost sold out although some may be available the day of the event.

The keynote speaker is internationally-honored nature photographer Philip L. Greene from Point Reyes.

Greene has studied and photographed herons and egrets for over two decades. His spectacular photos and delightful lecture focus on the nesting cycle of herons and egrets, with special emphasis on mating behaviors, nest building, and fledging.

Greene will present his program at 11 a.m. in the event tent at the park.

The very popular live owls and raptors show will be offered at 1 p.m. and repeated at 2 p.m. This special talk and demonstration by Native Bird Connections is one of the activities designed especially for families with children.

Dr. Harry Lyons again offers his “Myths and Music of Clear Lake,” combining an entertaining mix of music, science, and humor to tell the story of Clear Lake. Dr. Lyons will speak at 9 a.m.

Redbud Audubon will show a video and slide presentation on the amazing courtship “dancing” behaviors of the beloved grebes that frequent Clear Lake by the thousands every year during the breeding season.

Exhibit booths highlight educational displays and information from nature-related government agencies, local environmental nonprofit groups, and a wide range of nature-related artists and crafts vendors.

A wide range of fun educational activities for children will be presented, helping children to learn about nature. There is also a Children’s Heron Art Show where local school children’s creative gifts to the festival will be displayed in the Children’s Activities Area.

Food vendors will also be on hand, providing soft tacos, pulled-pork sandwiches, sodas, lemonade, cookies and desserts.

For photos and details on all festival events and to purchase tickets for the pontoon boat tours, please visit www.heronfestival.org or call 707-263-8030.