The Frozen Bird

The more I look at this image, the more it looks like a huge bird with its wings outstretched. Of course, it is a cave formation in the Crystal Cave at Sequoia National Park. When we were thinking about going to Sequoia, one of the deciding factors was the cave and the tours of the cave. We find out that Sequoia has over 300 caves but only one of them is "open to the public." Cavers (Spelunkers) are extremely possessive about their caves and rightfully so. Caves are complex ecosystems with an extremely delicate balance of humidity and other factors. Many caves with formations have been destroyed by the thoughtless and mindless acts of tourists and rock collectors. Sad experience has shown again and again that the only way to preserve these unique places is to control access.