Notes about your surroundings

Marine scene--See exotic sea creatures collected off the Orange County coast at a free aquarium open house presented Saturday by Orange Coast College’s Marine Science Department. The cold-water aquarium, the largest in Orange County, consists of six tanks, containing different local habitats, including a kelp forest, Corona del Mar tide pool, sandy bottom, rocky reef and octopus tank. A 200-gallon warm-water aquarium features corals from reefs around the world, and a 400-gallon warm-water tank contains tropical fish.

Tours will be conducted by marine science students. The students, who maintain the tanks, will demonstrate how they test water, collect marine samples, feed animals and clean the tanks. For children, there will be fish and face painting, carnival rides and “touch tanks� stocked with local tidal animals. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marine Science Lab in the college’s Lewis Center for Applied Sciences, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Parking is recommended in the college’s Merrimac parking lot, off Merrimac Way between Harbor Boulevard and Fairview Road. Information: (714) 432-5564.

Wing scan--Help the North American Butterfly Assn. count butterflies beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday in San Juan Capistrano. The hike through the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy lasts about three hours. Last year, nearly 400 individual butterflies were found. Bring water, food, sunscreen and binoculars. To get there, take Interstate 5 south to the Ortega Highway exit in San Juan Capistrano. Go east five miles to a gate with a sign. There is a $3 fee. Information: Don Mitchell, (714) 550-7420, Ext. 3204.

Rockin’ in Irvine--Turtle Rock Community Park can be the site of a field trip for a class, Scout troop or day camp. The staff there will provide activities that include animal tours, guided trail walks, computer time, recyclable crafts and games. Bring lunch and drinks. Dates are Tuesday through Friday, June 24 through Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. Cost is $6 per person. The park is at 1 Sunnyhill Drive, Irvine. (714) 854-8144.