Butterflies and Playful Creatures in the Spring Forest

Hot Springs National Park Promenade Pale Yellow Butterfly

The park is active this morning, squirrels are running and digging on the Tufa Terrace and Peak Trail. A Male Cardinal is looking out over the promenade and singing his morning song. As I head up to the Carriage Road I spot a wounded insect, this poor creature has a section of it’s protective shell chipped away.

The spring green along the Dead Chief Trail is accented with vibrant Red Bud Trees and Dogwood Blooms. When I reach the Short Cut Trail a Squirrel is peeking at me from the “V” in a Tree above me.  It vanishes then appears in the hole of an old dead Tree, undecided over the potential danger I might pose.

When I reach the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I am surprised how quiet the Park is at the top.  No birds are in close vicinity and I can only here their faint calls in the distance.  Along the Trail glorious Wildflowers are blanketing the edges, Spiderwort and Violets accent the new green.   As I stop to photograph a Spiderwort I hear a rustling near my boots, looking down I see a see Chipmunk pulling at a tender string of seeds.  It sits, eats and forages for other food, I am surprised when it walks up near my boots. A few minutes later the beautiful Chipmunk disappears into the leaves.

Each day I hike the Trails Spring is changing the forest.  New leaves gracefully wave in the breeze, White Dogwood and Red Bud Trees provide spectacular contrast.  The Hike along the Trail is peaceful and I feel the tranquility of the new Forest.

As I reach the west side of the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I am treated to the site of a Male Prairie Lizard.  It is the first one I have seen on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail.  Unlike his counterparts on the Goat Rock Trail the coloring on his belly is a greenish turquoise rather than a cobalt blue.

The Honeysuckle Trail is a new journey with Leaves sparkling above the Violets and Oxalis now appearing all along the path.  Squirrels are dashing back and forth across the Trail and is in one a full on sprint up the Path ahead of me.  When I reach the peak Trail another Squirrel jumps onto the path in front of me. It looks up and suddenly decides that up a Tree is a much better place to be located.  As I reach the bottom of the Trail I see a stalk of lovely Foxglove Beardtongue it is the perfect way to end my day in the park.

Don’t let a day go by without stepping outside and breathing in Nature.
Love to You All,
Lee

PS: My walk with my fiance’ Rick on the Promenade was a visual feast of Butterflies.  Pastel Yellow, Yellow with Black and Orange with Black Butterflies were everywhere.  Two sweet Northern Mockingbirds took turns imitating Rick whistling. It was a glorious evening out together.

April 5, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Butterflies, Chipmunk, Dogwood Tree, hot springs national park hiking trails, Leaves, Male Cardinal, Nature Photography, Northern Mockingbird, Orange Butterfly, Photography, Red Bud Tree, Spriderwort, Spring, Squirrel, Violet, Wildflower, Yellow Butterfly | 2 Comments »