<p>The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California Peninsula; it is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently extended into Washington and northwestern Nevada.</p> <p>Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_ground_squirrel">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The adult acorn woodpecker has a brownish-black head, back, wings and tail, white forehead, throat, belly and rump. The eyes are white. There is a small part on the small of their backs where there are some green feathers. The adult male has a red cap starting at the forehead, whereas females have a black area between the forehead and the cap.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_woodpecker">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>Corvus brachyrhynchos, American crow, is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. It is all black with iridescent feathers, and from beak to tail, it measures and average 16&ndash;20 inches (almost half of which is tail!). The most usual call is CaaW!-CaaW!-CaaW!.</p> <p>The American crow is omnivorous. It will feed on invertebrates of all types, carrion, scraps of human food, seeds, eggs and nestlings, and various grains. They are active hunters and will prey on mice, frogs, and other small animals. In winter and autumn, their diet is more dependent on nuts and acorns. The American crow is one of only a few species of bird that has been observed modifying and using tools to obtain food.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_crow">wikipedia.org</a></p> <p>Image:&nbsp;American Crow - Singing Sands, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada -- 2007 June</p>

<p>The American kestrel (Falco sparverius), sometimes colloquially known as the sparrow hawk, is a small falcon, and the only kestrel found in the Americas. It is the most common falcon in North America, and is found in a wide variety of habitats. At 19&ndash;21 cm (7&ndash;8 in) long, it is also the smallest falcon in North America. It exhibits sexual dimorphism in size and plumage, although both sexes have a rufous back with noticeable barring.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_kestrel">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the peregrine and historically as the duck hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head and &quot;moustache&quot;. As is typical of bird-eating raptors, peregrine falcons are sexually dimorphic, females being considerably larger than males.The peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 320 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive),making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. According to a National Geographic TV program, the highest measured speed of a peregrine falcon is 389 km/h (242 mph).</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_falcon">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small hummingbird. It is an extremely adaptable bird, occupying a broad range of habitats. They are migratory and spend most of the winter in Mexico.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-chinned_hummingbird">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago (AEO).With 12 recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semidesert, urban edge, forest edges, and swampland environments. It remains in some of its original range, but local populations are vulnerable to extirpation by coyotes and domestic animals.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobcat">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), called the shore lark in Europe, is a species of bird in the genus Eremophila. Unlike most other larks, this is a distinctive-looking species on the ground, mainly brown-grey above and pale below, with a striking black and yellow face pattern. Except for the central feathers, the tail is mostly black, contrasting with the paler body; this contrast is especially noticeable when the bird is in flight.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horned_lark">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The California quail (Callipepla californica), also known as the California valley quail or valley quail, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. It has been the official the state bird of California since 1931. These birds have a curving crest or plume, made of six feathers, that droops forward: black in males and brown for females; the flanks are brown with white streaks. Males have a dark brown cap and a black face with a brown back, a grey-blue chest and a light brown belly. Females and immature birds are mainly grey-brown with a light-colored belly.</p> <p>Source: Wikipedia<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_quail">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_quail</a></p>

<p>The California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) is a species of frog that is endemic to California. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora). The frog is an IUCN vulnerable species, and a federally listed threatened species of the United States, and is protected by law.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_red-legged_frog">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The California scrub jay&nbsp;is a species of scrub jay native to western North America.&nbsp;The California scrub jay is nonmigratory corvid that can be found in urban areas, where it can become tame and visit to bird feeders. While many refer to scrub jays as &quot;blue jays&quot;, the blue jay is a different species entirely.&nbsp;Recent research has suggested that scrub jays, along with several other corvids, are ranked among the most intelligent animals. The brain-to-body mass ratio of adult scrub jays rivals that of chimpanzees and cetaceans, and is dwarfed only by that of humans.&nbsp;</p> <p>California scrub jays, like many other corvids, exploit seasonal food availability by storing food in scattered caches. They rely on their complex memories to later recover the hidden caches. California scrub jays have a mischievous streak, even resorting to outright theft. They have been observed stealing acorns from woodpecker caches as well as from the caches of other jays they have observed stashing their acorns. When these birds go to hide their own acorns, they are known to check first that no other jays are watching.</p> <p><strong>Source:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_scrub_jay">wikipedia.org</a></p> <p><strong>Image Source</strong>: By Greystork at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6658565</p>

<p>The California tarantula is a very docile native spider. Tarantulas are not poisonous to humans, though like all spiders they have venom that is effective on small arthropods for subduing their prey.&nbsp;While female tarantulas can live for up to 25 years, the average lifespan of the male is only seven or eight years.&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the many predators of tarantulas is the &ldquo;tarantula hawk&rdquo; which is really a large wasp. A female wasp will sting and paralyze a tarantula, then drag it back to her burrow. She then lays an egg on the spider. When the egg hatches, the wasp larva will feed on the tarantula.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you are lucky enough to see a tarantula on the trail, you can take pictures because they move slowly, but humans shouldn&rsquo;t touch or otherwise harass them.</p> <p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula">wikipedia.org</a></p>

<p>The Coastal Range newt (Taricha torosa torosa) is a subspecies of the California Newt. It is native to the coast, California Coast Ranges, and western Transverse and Peninsular Ranges, from Mendocino County south to San Diego County.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_Range_newt">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>Cooper&#39;s hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico. As in many birds of prey, the male is smaller than the female. The birds found east of the Mississippi River tend to be larger on average than the birds found to the west.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper%27s_hawk">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The coyote ( Canis latrans) is a canid native to North America. It is a smaller, more basal animal than its close relative, the gray wolf,being roughly the North American equivalent to the old world golden jackal, though it is larger and more predatory in nature. It is listed as &quot;least concern&quot; by the IUCN, on account of its wide distribution and abundance throughout North America, Mexico and into Central America. It is a highly versatile species, whose range has expanded a midst human environmental modification.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote">Wikipedia</a></p> <p><strong>CAUTION: Coyotes may be dangerous to pets (small dogs).</strong> If your pet is leashed and you and your pet are on the trail, it is very likely that the coyote will not try to attack.&nbsp;Coyotes generally are not interested in confronting people, even small children. Of course, parents should always keep an eye on children while on the trail, but coyotes pose no special danger. They are usually not aggressive toward humans unless humans attempt to feed or interact with coyotes. While there are reports of coyotes attacking and killing a person, these types of incidents are extremely rare. Remember, coyotes are wild animals. They can be seen during the day, but they are most active in the evening and at night.</p> <p>If you see a coyote, you can stop and watch, but do not approach it. As with any wild animal, if it feels threatened by someone coming toward it or chasing it, it may feel the need to protect itself. DO NOT FEED or attempt to feed them. Once a wild animal gets accustomed to being fed by humans there is much more likelihood that an individual will get bitten by an animal looking for food.</p> <p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/rocr/learn/nature/coyotefaq.htm">NPS</a></p>

<p>The two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondii) is a species of snake in the Colubridae family.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-striped_garter_snake">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is a carnivoran mammal of the family Canidae ranging throughout most of the southern half of North America from southern Canada to the northern part of South America (Venezuela and Colombia).This species and the closely related Channel Island fox (Urocyon littoralis) are the only living members of the genus Urocyon, which is considered to be among the most primitive of the living canids.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_fox">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The long-eared owl (Asio otus, previously Strix otus) is a species of owl which breeds in Europe, Asia, and North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, family Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping of owls are the barn owls, family Tytonidae.</p> <p>Source:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-eared_owl">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The cougar (Puma concolor), also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, or catamount, is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae native to the Americas. Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, is the greatest of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar">Wikipedia</a></p> <p><strong>CAUTION: If you see a lion, stop and do not run.&nbsp;</strong>Be sure to travel in groups when in lion country. Keep children next to you. Maintain eye contact and do all you can to appear larger. Speak calmly to the lion in a firm, calm voice. If attacked, fight back. Lions have been known to be driven away by prey that fights back.</p> <p>Mountain lion sightings are rare and there are few attacks&nbsp;on people. Most of these attacks have been by young lions that have been forced to hunt on their own and are not yet living in established areas. They will key in on easy prey such as pets and small children.</p> <p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/mountain-lion.htm">NPS</a></p>

<p>The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Unlike the related white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer are generally more associated with the land west of the Missouri River, and more specifically with the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Mule deer have also been introduced to Argentina.</p> <p>Source:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule_deer">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>Crotalus viridis (Common names: prairie rattlesnake, western rattlesnake, plains rattlesnake, and others) is a venomous pit viper species native to the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico.&nbsp;Western rattlesnakes live on the land, but it can sometimes climb in trees or bushes. Some even rest in crevices or caves. They are typically active diurnally in cooler weather and nocturnally during hot weather. This species is equipped with powerful&nbsp;venom, using about 20-55 percent of venom in one bite, and will defend themselves if threatened or injured. As with other rattlesnake species, western rattlesnakes will rapidly vibrate their tails, which produces a unique rasping sound to warn intruders.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_oreganus">Wikipedia</a></p> <p><strong>CAUTION: Rattlesnakes may strike when they feel threatened or are provoked.</strong>&nbsp;Rattlesnake bites&nbsp;can cause serious injury. In the event of a snake bite, stay calm and get to a doctor right away.</p> <p>Source: <a href="https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/News/Snake">CAFW</a></p>

<p>The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the &quot;chickenhawk,&quot; though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies, and is one of the most common buteos in North America. Red-tailed hawks can acclimate to all the biomes within their range.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-tailed_hawk">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>Glaucopsyche lygdamus, the silvery blue, is a small blue butterfly native to North America. Its upperside is light blue in males and dull grayish blue in females. In both sexes, the underside is gray with a &nbsp;row of round spots of variable size depending upon region. The silvery blue&nbsp;is found over much of the western United States and most of Canada.</p> <p>One subspecies, the Palos Verdes Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis), is a endangered blue butterfly native to the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southwest Los Angeles County, California. As its distribution has been proven to be limited to one single site, it has one of the best claims to being the world&#39;s rarest butterfly.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palos_Verdes_Blue">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), also known in some North American regions as the turkey buzzard (or just buzzard), and in some areas of the Caribbean as the John crow or carrion crow, is a vulture that is the most widespread of the New World vultures. One of three species in the genus Cathartes of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_vulture">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) is an arboreal rodent found along the western coast of the United States and Mexico. Compared with the eastern gray squirrel S. carolinensis or the eastern fox squirrel (which have been introduced into its native range), these squirrels are shy, and will generally run up a tree and give a hoarse chirping call when disturbed. Weights vary from about 0.8 to 2.2 pounds (0.36 to 1.00 kg), and length (including tail) from 17 to 24 inches (43 to 61 cm). It is the largest native tree squirrel in the western coastal United States. Western gray squirrels exhibit a form of coloration known as counter shading. The dorsal fur is a silver gunmetal gray, with pure white on the underside; there may be black flecks in the tail. Ears are large but without tufts. The ears turn reddish-brown at the back in the winter. The tail is long and typically very bushy. Tree squirrels undergo a complete head-to-tail molt in the spring and a rump-to-head molt in the fall. Tail hair is replaced only in the spring. Nesting mothers will use their tail hair to line birthing nests. Western gray squirrels eat berries, nuts, a variety of seeds, and the eggs of small birds.</p> <p>Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_gray_squirrel">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The Western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small owl native to North and Central America, closely related to the European scops owl and the North American eastern screech owl. These birds wait on perches to swoop down on unsuspecting prey; they may also catch insects in flight. They are active at dawn, night or near dusk, using their excellent hearing and night vision to locate prey. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice or rats, birds, and large insects; however they are opportunistic predators, even taking small trout at night. Motion-activated cameras have photographed the birds eagerly scavenging a road-kill opossum.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_screech_owl">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) is an elanid kite of genus Elanus found in western North America and parts of South America.Their coloration is gull-like, but their shape and flight falcon-like, with a rounded tail. Mainly white underneath, they have black wingtips and shoulders.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_kite">Wikipedia</a></p>