There are a variety of animals, large and small, which can be found in the confines of the park. One of the most visible is the black-tailed deer, such as the one pictured below as it crosses an open space in the forest. These animals can be found throughout the forests of the northwest. Although relatively easy to spot in a clearing, they can be difficult to see once they enter the cover of the forest. Birds are also plentiful.
Snags provide excellent places to perch or nest, as can be seen in the picture below.
Reflection Lake Mt. Rainier National Park contains a number of scenic lakes. One of the most popular and often photographed is Reflection Lake south of Paradise Valley. It provides spectacular reflections of Rainier's peak, particularly when the wind is scarce and the surface of the lake is still. The Reflection Lakes basin was another feature of the park formed by the carving action of ancient glaciers. The deep green, heavily forested banks of the lake set off the white of the mountain in the reflection.