=_California mule deer._=--So-called because of their large ears. They
are abundant everywhere and often tame near campgrounds.
=_American black bear._=--Found throughout the park and are very
plentiful at Giant Forest during the spring and early summer months,
where several at one time may be seen at the Bear Hill. These bears are
not ferocious, and under all ordinary circumstances will run from man.
Young of the same litter often vary in color from cinnamon to brown or
black. Visitors must not feed the bears. They are fed daily from camp
garbage.
[Illustration: HAMILTON LAKE WITH PRECIPITOUS PEAKS IN BACKGROUND
_Padilla Studios photo._]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: MOTHER BEAR WITH HER TWO CUBS]
=_Columbia gray squirrel._=--A delight to the eye as it dashes across a
road or trail, a blue-gray furry vision that at times appears to be all
tail--the largest squirrel.
=_Douglas squirrel or Sierra chickaree._=--Very abundant and thrusts
itself upon the public by its quarrelsome and scolding disposition.
About two-thirds the size of the gray squirrel, and gray-brown in color.
=_Chipmunks of several species._=--The Alpine, Sierra Nevada, and
Sequoia are abundant everywhere in the pine and Sequoia. They become
very tame and steal from campers' tables or food supplies.
=_Sierra golden-mantled ground squirrel._=--Often mistakenly called a
chipmunk and having much the same habits. At Giant Forest it is as
abundant as the chipmunk and may be distinguished by its golden color
and larger size.
=_California Valley ground squirrel._=--Has recently arrived at Giant
Forest, but it is not plentiful enough to do damage.
In addition to the above, marmots, mountain lions, wildcats, mountain
beaver, coyotes, foxes, trade rats, and other animals are found in the
park. Information about them may be had at ranger stations, the museum,
or the superintendent's office.
The birds commonly noticed by visitors near Giant Forest are the blue
fronted or stellar jay, western tanager, western robin, chickadee,
junco, red-shafted flicker, white-headed woodpecker, several warblers,
sparrows, and finches. The golden eagle and the red-tailed hawk are
sometimes seen from Moro Rock. A list of all the birds may be obtained
at the Giant Forest Administration Building.
Even a slight acquaintance with the park flora will vastly increase the
pleasure of your visit, and park rangers will gladly answer inquiries.
The trees most noticed near Giant Forest are the Big Trees, sugar pine,
yellow pine, white and red fir; the western white pine and the lodgepole
pine are found higher up; the incense cedar is abundant; lower down are
many varieties of oak, maple, and other hardwoods.
Among shrubs and bushes, the many kinds of sweet-scented ceanothus or
deer brush, manzanita, chokecherry, chinquapin, and dogwood are most
noticed.
The flowers which by their profusion and brilliancy most attract
attention are, among myriads, the lupine, yucca, goldenrod, shooting
star, ragwort, Queen Ann's lace, bears clover, false hellebore, many
gilias, pentstemons, and monkey flowers.