In April, I read about how McEvoy Ranch located in Petaluma, California, and known for their estate-quality extra-virgin olive oil, was hosting special events and tours this spring and summer at the property, which is usually closed to the public.  Needless to say, I had to go.  I signed up for the May bird-watching tour, which gave attendees an opportunity to stroll through various parts of the ranch (the actual ranch is approximately 550 acres, most of which is being farmed and not accessible by the public).  Although I enjoy observing birds in and out of the garden, this was my first official bird-watching tour ever.

The varied topography of the Ranch consisting of rolling hills, valleys, and numerous ponds, and beautiful and diverse gardens, attract a wide array of birds.  On the tour, we observed a barn owl in its box, hummingbirds, various songbirds, some brilliantly-colored orioles which resembled Meyer lemons with wings, and two very impressive and imposing vultures sunning themselves atop tall trees.  In between bird-watching, we got to visit the olive orchards and gardens on the property.  Wherever I go, my perennial favorite is the edible garden, so I was delighted to visit two of their gardens where ornamental flowers were/are integrated with edible plants and espaliered fruit trees (see pictures below).  Albeit beautiful, these gardens are not simply for display.  The Ranch uses the fruit from their citrus trees and the lavender from their lavender berm, to produce various products which they sell. 

Tours and events at the Ranch continue throughout the summer and vary in both price and theme.  The last I read, there will be, at minimum, orchard walks and olive mill tours, a jam-making workshop, a wreath-making workshop, a guided walk through owner, Nan McEvoy’s private sculpture garden, and a cooking demonstration and garden tour with the Ranch’s head chef.  For more information, see http://www.mcevoyranch.com/.