Weekend parks and refuge hikes focus on swans, sunsets

Whitewater State Park, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday

• Meet at visitor center and drive to a Mississippi River swan location. Bring your own transportation. (1-507-312-2300; mndnr.gov/whitewater)

Blue Mounds State Park, 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday

• On this short, guided hike, explore the geologic forces that created the rocks. Prepare for uneven terrain. (1-507-283-6050; mndnr.gov/bluemounds)

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday

• Meet at the visitor center in Bloomington for a session led by photographer Don Tredinnick, who will educate photographers on how to best capture the setting sun over the refuge. A tripod is a must for this hike. Dress for the weather. The visitor center will close as scheduled at 4 p.m., and the workshop will wrap up out on the trails. Visit frozenhiker.com to learn more about Tredinnick. (952-854-5900; fws.gov/Minnesota_Valley)

• Explore on and off trail with a naturalist to see what mysteries nature left behind. Ages 17 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. (763-694-7700, bit.ly/threetrail)

Silverwood Park, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday