WILDLIFE

Mammals.—The park abounds in the smaller species that are of great interest to the visitor because of their friendly inquisitiveness. The large mammals, including black bears, are fairly common.

Members of the squirrel family are numerous along roads and trails and at any place where people congregate. Most abundant and approachable are the golden-mantled ground squirrels. Two species of chipmunks are also numerous. The marmot stodgily makes his way among the rocks or basks on one of them in the warm sunshine. Many of these small animals are tame. It is wisest to enjoy them without actual contact, however, for some rodents have been known to carry dangerous diseases.

The saucy pine squirrel is common, and the porcupine is frequently observed, The shrill note of the cony, or pika, may often be heard on rocky slopes. Badgers, gray squirrels, and snowshoe rabbits are numerous, but mink, flying squirrels, martens, and several species of mice are seldom seen. The worm-like tunnels of gophers are frequently seen in the soft topsoil, a colony of beaver makes its home in the park.

Bears may be seen in many parts of the park. They are usually black individuals, but a few are of the brown color phase. Do not let bears approach too closely, as they are dangerous. Many people have been painfully clawed. In the interest of safety, it is unlawful to feed, tease, or molest the hears.

Of the deer species, the Columbian blacktail is most common. Rocky Mountain mule deer are seen in the grassy, watered meadows along the roads to the east and south entrances. Elk have been noted along the eastern side of the park.

Other large animals in the park are the cougar, or mountain lion, the coyote, and the red fox.

Because of the general elevation of the area, there are few reptiles. Salamanders are common on the lake shore and frogs and toads along the creeks.

Birds.—More than 120 species of birds have been seen in the park. Eagle Crags have furnished nesting places for the golden eagle and the southern bald eagle; Llao Rock is the home of falcons. Ospreys have been seen, and the dusky horned owl forages nightly. California gulls visit the park; Farallon cormorants perch on the masts of the Phantom Ship and take to wing whenever a launch or rowboat approaches too near. There are ravens and half a dozen species of hawks. The Sierra grouse inhabits the timberlands; Clark's nutcrackers and crested and gray jays are among the most noticeable birds upon the rim.

Smaller birds frequently seen are the mountain bluebirds, solitaires, juncos, siskins, creepers, red-breasted nuthatches, chickadees, and evening grosbeaks. There are golden and ruby-crowned kinglets, robins, wrens, western tanagers, spotted and green-tailed towhees, purple and rosy finches, chipping and other sparrows, two varieties of thrushes, and six varieties of warblers. Occasionally a hummingbird is seen.

FORESTS AND WILD FLOWERS

The virgin forests and wild flower meadows mantling the slopes, which one ascends to view Crater Lake, are outstanding attractions enhancing the scenic value of the lake. Scattered through the forests of predominantly cone-bearing trees are a few broad-leaved species. Around numerous springs forming the sources of many creeks on the outer slope of the mountain, the forests give way to colorful meadows of alpine wild flowers,

Plants characteristic of four zones of vegetation are found within the park, yielding over 570 species of ferns and flowering plants. Patches of Douglas firs, typical of the humid division of the upper Transition Zone, occur in the region of the park lying on the western slope of the Cascade Range. The semihumid division of the zone, characterized by the ponderosa pines, may be found at the south entrance of the park. Associated with it are sugar pines, white firs, and western white pines, the latter furnishing the largest individual tree in the park. Above the Transition is the Canadian Zone in which occur lodgepole pines, Shasta red firs, alpine firs, and mountain hemlocks.

In the rim area around Crater Lake, Hudsonian Zone species are found. These include mountain hemlocks, the most predominant tree in the park, alpine firs, Shasta red firs, and white-bark pines.

Stunted whitebark pines predominate on the slopes of Mount Scott, the summit being in the Alpine-Arctic Zone.

During July and August visitors find nature's colorful displays of alpine wild flowers on the road between park headquarters and the Rim Village and along the trails on the crater rim. These displays change with each week of the short flowering season.

Castle Crest Garden, located at park headquarters, is one of the most attractive and ideal places for viewing and studying Crater Lake flora.

Throughout the summer months visitors may study the exhibits of fresh and pressed flowers displayed at the Information Building in the Rim Village.