2010 April 06 « Hike Our Planet – Lee Hiller Nature Photography

Nature is Full of Surprises

Park Entrance Sweet Squirrel with healed head injuries

My hike began with indecision, the sky was turning dark and I could not decide which route to take. I head to North Mountain and on impulse turned around. I re-enter the Park at the Hot Springs Mountain main entrance and a Lovely Male Cardinal was waiting for me. As I reached the top of the stairs I turn to see a sweet Squirrel sitting atop the hand rail and staring at me. It is missing part of it’s left hand, as I move closer it hops down vanishing into the ivy. Suddenly another squirrel appears and stands up in front of me. It comes closer and that is when I notice the now healed wound on it’s head and it too is missing part of it’s left hand. My heart aches for these sweet creatures. I wonder if those injured have banded together at the park entrance.

I continue up into the main part of the park a noise above me causes me to look up. Hanging upside down looking at me is another squirrel. It’s as if a general announcement was sent out about my arrival. The inquisitive Squirrel jumps from the Tree to a Rock, then out of site. As I reach the top the squirrel from the Tree is waiting for me, it is sitting on the rail eating breakfast. It jumps down and scampers ahead of me stopping in front of a Tree with another Male Cardinal.

As I hike up the Dead Chief to the Short Cut Trail I cannot help but think about all the Squirrels that came to greet me as I entered the park. After not seeing many Male Cardinals in the past month why were so many in one place. I Love the meditation of Nature’s wonders as I hike higher on to Hot Springs Mountain. I feel so at peace with the beauty around me it’s as if I floated to the top.

When I reach the picnic area at the top I can see in the distance a Crow hopping from picnic table to picnic table. As I get closer I view the oddest thing it appears to be running. My photo is the a visual of the same odd Crow imagery. My hike has been filled with many surprises from Nature this morning.

My hike down the Peak Trail is serene and I am surprised that I have not seen other hikers this morning. The beautiful Leaves are are growing larger and I feel cradled by the new green. As I reach the bottom of the Trail a Chipmunk pops up from behind a rock. We are near the Hot Springs Mountain Road and as each car goes by the little Chipmunk hides, then reappears again. I have had a glorious morning in the park.

Find peace in Nature.
Love to You All,
Lee