2010 April 02 « Hike Our Planet – Lee Hiller Nature Photography

Butterflies, Wildflowers and Green Trails

Promenade Black Swallow Tail Butterfly

The weather service predicted Thunder and Lightening for Hot Springs today. I made a prudent decision to go up and down, but not around the mountain. As I enter the park I see a flowering White Dogwood to my right as I head toward the stairs. The dark clouds, brisk winds and impending storm has left the park silent. The Peak Trail is luminescent with the new green, my first spring in the park is beautiful. The peaceful serenity of hiking in the new forest fills my heart with joy as I head to the top of Hot Springs Mountain.

Along the Hot Spring Mountain Trail Bird’s-Footed Violets are beginning to line the Trail edges. The violets are thriving in the sheltered light of the leaf cover growing in the forest. A fallen limb is coated in sage and olive green Lichen and accented with white Fungi fans. When I reach the Honeysuckle Trail I can see our Wedding Chapel, it is slowly being sheltered by the newly Flowering Trees and Spring Leaves. I look down and see a thin black insect moving along the rocks on the path. I take a photo and am surprised to see it flare it’s wings revealing bright red as if is is a warning light. I am not familiar with it’s stinging capability, I keep a safe distance as I continue to take photographs.

From the Honeysuckle I reconnect with the Peak Trail and head down to the Tufa Terrace. There I discover a newly blooming patch of Periwinkle Wildflowers, their color is spectacular against the large leaves. A Male Cardinal is high in a tree singing a song that is being answered from across the park. The last of the Cherry Blossoms look luminescent among the newly emerging green leaves. A beautiful Bumble Bee is flitting from petal to petal in a Red Bud Tree as I head down the stairs. I need to check my PO Box so I decide to take the Promenade to exit the park on the South side. As I stroll along the brick walkway I am treated to a serenade by a friendly Northern Mockingbird. It’s song echoes my entire journey to the park exit.

As I walk home from the post office I am surprised to see the only WiFi and healthy juice cafe is closing. In an effort to capture the funny quicksand window display I create an unintended self portrait. A small park set in-between two buildings has a glorious display of pink Azaleas blooming. I take a moment to enjoy the beauty of their pink blossoms. Nature is in the most unexpected places.

Find your own Nature Space and enjoy it every day.
Love,
Lee

PS Rick and I had a lovely late afternoon walk along the Promenade. We discover Mock Strawberries, Buttercups and are treated to the site of a Black Swallowtail Butterfly.