Outbound Escapes

Wild about animal art

Animals can make for captivating images. Here are some on display in the coming week:

• Block gallery presents "Hunting," an exhibit examining American gun culture by Kerry Loewen, 1-6 p.m. July 27. Block is at 1020 10th St., Sacramento. For more information: www.blockdowntown.com.

• Jaguars, lynxes and grizzly bears are among the animals captured in Haggin Museum's exhibit "Spectacular Achievements: Audubon's Animals of North America," featuring 70 original hand-colored lithographs from John James Audubon's "The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America," through Aug. 24. The museum, at 1201 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton, is open 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is $5 general, $2.50 seniors and students, free for children younger than 10. For more information: www.hagginmuseum.org.

Synchro team showcase

Bring a folding chair and sit at poolside. The Fulton-El Camino Stringray Synchronized Swimming Team will be in costume and ready to perform to music at the Aquacade show at 6:30 July 24 at the Cottage Pool, 3097 Cottage Way, Sacramento. Cost is $5 general, $2 for children and FEC swim team members.

For more information: www.fecstingrays.org/rays/home.html.

Free fishing clinic

Bring your young anglers to Florin Creek Park, 7460 Persimmon Ave., Sacramento, from 9:30 a.m. to noon July 26 for the Fishing in the City program sponsored by the state Department of Fish and Game.

Rods, bait and tackle will be on loan for the first 50 people. Anglers ages 16 or older need a California fishing license. For more information: www.dfg.ca.gov/fishinginthecity/sac/.

Mountain biking

Northstar Resort hosts cross country mountain bike races at 6 p.m. each Thursday through Aug. 28. You don't have to ride like pro mountain bike racer Brian Lopes to maneuver these courses. They are suitable for all ages and abilities.

Registration is $15. A raffle will follow each race. For more information: www.northstarattahoe.com/ events.calendar.month.asp.

Spotting scoped suggested

Two options ideal for bird watching:

• The River Partners Feather River Tour on July 26; rescheduled from June, the 12-mile flatwater paddle starts at 8 a.m. at the Boyd Pump Boat Launch, south of Yuba City; it's free, but you'll need your own canoe or kayak; (530) 894-5401, ext. 222 (reservations required).

• The Solano County and Solano Land Trust birding tour and hike at the Lynch Canyon Open Space from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26; tour is free, $5 parking fee per vehicle; (707) 432-0150, ext. 200.

Uphill race

The Squaw Valley Mountain Run/Hike will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 2 to benefit the Auburn Ski Club Junior Nordic skiers and cancer prevention programs in the Tahoe-Truckee region.

In the 28th annual event, participants will start from the base of Squaw Valley USA, then climb the 3.6-mile course to High Camp.

Advance registration is $30 general, $15 ages 21 and younger. Registration on race day is $40 general, $25 ages 21 and younger.

For more information: www.active.com.