Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Our birding tour guides chose Calaveras Big Trees State Park for our morning hike because of the beauty of the trees and the plentiful bird and other wildlife there. While Len and I have seen the mountain redwoods in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, we had never been here and were delighted not only with the wide ranging natural beauty, but also with the open and uncrowded atmosphere on the trails. For most of the morning we saw only a few other people, which obviously makes it much better for seeing more birds.

Descriptions of the majestic and enormous redwoods have been published frequently for almost two centuries, so I don't have much to add. We arrived quite early and enjoyed the effects of morning light, the amazing way you have to look up to see the gigantic height of the trees, the overwhelming size of the fallen giants and the fascinating shapes of the trees. Some look like gigantesque bonsai.

A pair of white-headed woodpeckers -- a relatively local bird to this area. 

A local species of chipmunk.

Our guide looking for birds.