284 OUR NATIONAL PARKS 



their god-like composure, never toss their arms 

 or bow or wave like the pines, but only slowly, 

 solemnly nod and sway, standing erect, making 

 no sign of strife, none of rest, neither in alliance 

 nor at war with the winds, too calmly, uncon- 

 sciously noble and strong to strive with or bid 

 defiance to anything. Owing to the density of 

 the leafy branchlets and great breadth of head 

 the Big Tree carries a much heavier load of 

 snow than any of its neighbors, and after a 

 storm, when the sky clears, the laden trees are 

 a glorious spectacle, worth any amount of cold 

 camping to see. Every bossy limb and crown 

 is solid white, and the immense height of the 

 giants becomes visible as the eye travels the 

 white steps of the colossal tower, each relieved 

 by a mass of blue shadow. 



In midwinter the forest depths are as fresh 

 and pure as the crevasses and caves of glaciers. 

 Grouse, nuthatches, a few woodpeckers, and 

 other hardy birds dwell in the groves all winter, 

 and the squirrels may be seen every clear day 

 frisking about, lively as ever, tunneling to their 

 stores, never coming up empty-mouthed, diving 

 in the loose snow about as quickly as ducks in 

 water, while storms and sunshine sing to each 

 other. 



One of the noblest and most beautiful of the 

 late winter sights is the blossoming of the Big Tree 

 like gigantic goldenrods and the sowing of their 



