Birds, wildlife, botanical trees, and the birder's journal — right outside your door.
Faithful Oaks is a haven for bird watchers, offering a diverse and seasonal variety of avian species. Spend some time on our patio watching the birds visit the feeders throughout the day — oak titmouse, California scrub-jay, lesser goldfinch, white-breasted nuthatch, and many more. Then watch the oak canopy for the very vocal acorn woodpeckers as they fly about stashing acorns in the branches, constantly turning them to dry. Check out our shed to find many of their acorns stashed in the old wood!
Open the Birdwatching Guide 🔭We invite you to take part in a simple and fun tradition during your stay — logging your avian observations in the Birder's Journal, located by the sliding door. Whether it's a quick glimpse or a detailed list of species, every entry adds to the story of the property's vibrant bird life that changes with the seasons and brings our guests a little closer to nature!
Prefer digital? Use our interactive wildlife checklist on the birding page.
Spend a quiet evening in the backyard listening to the natural soundtrack of the property! As the sun sets, you'll hear the call of Pacific chorus frogs from the creek. Keep an ear out for the occasional hoot of a great horned owl — "whoo, whoo-whoo-whoo!" — or the loud, rising "who-cooks-for-you" of the barred owl. It's the perfect way to unwind and connect with nature right outside your door.
Take time to walk the property and enjoy its remarkable trees, including a giant sequoia and a towering valley oak that is over 300 years old! As you explore, you'll find botanical labels on many of the trees with their species' names. And don't forget to hug our 300-year-old oak — it may take a few of you to fully embrace this ancient tree!
Many of the wildlife photos decorating the house were taken in the vicinity of the property — or show species you can find right here on the grounds.
Ponderosa pines are prickly and Jeffrey pines are gentle! Pick a pine cone up from the yard and roll it between your palms to find out which kind it is.
Woodpeckers have thick spongy bone in the front and back of the skull to distribute the impact of pecking — and very little fluid surrounding the brain to reduce bounce!
You may see animals ranging from squirrels, deer, and wild turkeys to the occasional bobcat, coyote, or even a bear passing through the area to the creek behind the property. Most wildlife prefers to avoid people, so we simply ask that you enjoy observing them from a safe distance, keep food and trash secured, and avoid feeding the animals. Thank you for helping us preserve the area's natural beauty while keeping both our guests and wildlife safe.
📢 An air horn is mounted to the patio post if needed to scare off any unwanted wildlife. Please don't let children play with it.
Please help us keep the home comfortable by keeping all screen doors closed and ensuring the window screens remain in place when windows are open. Because the home sits in a natural setting — and even with regular pest control — small outdoor critters and insects that are part of the environment may find their way inside if screens aren't in place. Thank you for helping us keep the great outdoors where it belongs!
