Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1949)

419 Oldest and tallest living things on earth, California's mighty sequoias are a challenge to the movie maker section of a redwood whose annular growth rings may be traced to the year 909 A.D. Although this tree barely attained its six foot diameter, when it was cut. down for lumber in a northern forest in 1930, it had already reached the age of 1021 years. Considered to be exceptionally small for its age, it nevertheless depicts a march of time that seems incredible. Certain rings of the tree's growth are marked with a thin white line showing its size when important historical events were taking place. Here a long shot and a series of closeups will picture this fabulous record of ten centuries of growth. From this display the main trail leads into the depths of the forest, where the largest recorded tree in the woods is soon discovered. Although this huge monarch of the forest is seventeen feet in diameter at its base, it is possible that there are others in the monument that are equally as large or perhaps larger. However, this is the most accessible redwood of its size and it is therefore credited as the champion. For the more ambitious hiker, the nearby ocean view trail leads to Throckmorton Ridge and eventually Mill Valley, a small community that originally was a logging camp during the last century. At Cathedral Grove, via the main trail, is the tallest stand of redwoods in the park, while a short distance from them is the Hollow Tree and Bridge Tree. Beyond these at the mouth of Fern Canyon is the Kent Memorial. At the base of a huge Douglas Fir that he so admired, a bronze plaque is dedicated to the late Congressman William Kent who originally donated the area to the United States Government. The woods were then named in honor of the naturalist John Muir. LOOK FOR WILD LIFE Muir Woods is a wild life sanctuary and is surrounded by the larger Mount Tamalpais State Game Refuge. As a result, deer have lost much of their natural fear and frequently may be filmed as they drink from the sparkling stream or browse through the forest with their young. The California gray squirrel, whose number once ex CATHEDRAL GROVE, in the heart of Muir Woods, suggests to many the soaring spires of a Gothic archway. Tallest trees are here. ceeded that of all other animal habitants, has nearly disappeared since 1932 when an epidemic of scabies swept through the region. However, a few still survive and may be seen on occasion. Chipmunks are plentiful and mosl willing to accept food offered them. If you are lucky enough to encounter some of these busy little creatures, keep quite still during your filming, for the slightest shifting of your position will discourage their approach. Locate at the first a suitable camera position and then stay put. It is important that you gain their confidence before you try changing the camera angle. The raccoon, too, is exceptionally abundant, as are the tiny gray fox, the bobcat and even the skunk, who has a unique way of making himself known. Numerous species of bird life, quite naturally, [Continued on page 433] SMALL FOR ITS AGE of 1021 years, this section of six foot trunk had already been growing for 583 years when America was first discovered. FALLEN BUT FERTILE, this California laurel or bay tree is one of many other growths amid the forest most famous for its stand of redwoods.