Montaña de Oro

The eucalyptus forest in Montaña de Oro is somber today, as it often is, shrouded in a sea of fog that just barely touches the tree tops. The fog drifts slowly inland in a continuously changing mass of piercing water vapor. I can imagine standing in the midst of its movement. The cool air would be felt all over my body, making the day seem unfriendly. But the fog is high enough to spare me the sensation, and I can walk comfortably through the trees below.

Of all the trees in California, the eucalyptus is one of my favorite. My preference for them is interesting, because the species was introduced to the United Sates. I’ve been told that some Californians are averse to their presence in the state. But how could I dislike them, even for their invasiveness? The eucalyptus is tall and elegant, reaching out but mostly up in a series of well-defined branches. They look so clean, sleek, and a bit exotic. Blotches of orange often accent the branches of the eucalyptus, adding to its uniqueness.

Multitudes of tress surround me as I wind my way through the forest. Old, dried leaves blanket the ground, reminding me that the eucalyptus is not as clean and elegant as I sometimes think. If one paid no attention to the leafy canopy overhead, then it would appear that the entire forest had lost its leaves in preparation for winter. The signs of life are higher up, because the taller trees lack any lower leafy branches.

The trees look at home here, and I suppose they are. They took over the area and made it their home. Controversy aside, I can’t imagine coming to Montaña de Oro without gazing upon the beauty of the fog cloaked eucalyptus forest.