<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>The American badger (Taxidea taxus) is a North American badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European badger. It is found in the western and central United States, northern Mexico, and south-central Canada to certain areas of southwestern British Columbia. American badger habitat is typified by open grasslands with available prey (such as mice, squirrels, and groundhogs). The species prefers areas such as prairie regions with sandy loam soils where it can dig more easily for its prey.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_badger">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 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 American black bear (Ursus americanus) is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent&#39;s smallest and most widely distributed bear species. Black bears are omnivores with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in search of food. Sometimes they become attracted to human communities because of the immediate availability of food. The American black bear is the world&#39;s most common bear species.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_black_bear">Wikipedia</a></p> <p><strong>CAUTION: If you see a bear do not approach it and do not allow&nbsp;it to approach you. </strong>If the bear changes its behavior due to your presence, back away slowly. If the bear begins to follow you, act aggressively to intimidate the bear. Throw rocks, shout, and do not turn away from the bear.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm">NPS</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</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 Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large wild goose species with a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brown body. Native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, it also occasionally migrates to northern Europe. It has been introduced to Britain, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. Like most geese, the Canada goose is primarily herbivorous and normally migratory; it tends to be found on or close to fresh water.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_goose">Wikipedia</a></p>

<p>The California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) is a small 10.8 cm (4.3 in) long insectivorous bird which frequents dense coastal sage scrub growth. This species was recently split from the similar black-tailed gnat catcher of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. This bird is often solitary, but joins with other birds in winter flocks.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_gnatcatcher">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 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>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>The rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) is a smallish American sparrow. This passerine is primarily found across the Southwestern United States and much of the interior of Mexico, south to the transverse mountain range, and to the Pacific coast to the southwest of the transverse range. Its distribution is patchy, with populations often being isolated from each other. Twelve subspecies are generally recognized, though up to eighteen have been suggested. This bird has a brown back with darker streaks and gray underparts. The crown is rufous, and the face and supercilium are gray with a brown or rufous streak extending from each eye and a thick black malar streak.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous-crowned_sparrow">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 tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae. Its range is limited to the coastal areas of the Pacific coast of North America, from Northern California in the U.S. (with occasional strays into Oregon), to upper Baja California in Mexico.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricolored_blackbird">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 Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), commonly known as the North American opossum, is the only marsupial found in North America north of Mexico. In the United States, it is typically referred to simply as a possum. A solitary and nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat, and thus the largest opossum, it is a successful opportunist.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_opossum">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 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>