2010 June 10 « Hike Our Planet – Lee Hiller Nature Photography

Fawn, Rabbit, Tanager, Chipmunk and Squirrel

Carriage Road Rabbit

Carriage Road Fawn

It was a stormy night and this morning is the calm before the next weather front. Misty, dark and cool (for summer) I entered the park in search of rainy decoration. As I reach the Carriage Road I look ahead and see a what I believe is a large Squirrel. With my next step a Chipmunk I did not notice dives in a hole and the large Squirrel turns out to be a rabbit that bolts into the Forest.

I decide to stand still by the Chipmunk burrow, five minutes pass and out of the corner of my eye I see the Rabbit has returned. Using a line of Trees as cover I slowly make my way toward the wild Bunny. I am taking a first photo before I move forward, but a jogger storms past and the sweet Rabbit bolts. Moving toward the Dead Chief Trail I stop to see if the Rabbit will come back out of the Forest. As a light foggy mist is forming I watch a Male Cardinal fly to the Tree over my shoulder. Turning I catch sight of a Fawn crossing the path and heading into the thick Honeysuckle. It is the first deer I have seen this close within the park.

As I hike to the top of the Dead Chief and then the Short Cut Trail I cannot stop thinking about the event on the Carriage Road. To the song of a Tufted Titmouse I reach the top of Hot Springs Mountain. A light fog is forming on the trail as a beautiful bird song fills the air. I look up into the Tree above me and see a lovely green bird with orange head, neck and chest. It is later identified on Twitter by@ikakN13 Kendra as a juvenile Summer Tanager. Thank You Kendra and the other the wonderful Tweeps who helped in the hunt!

The trail is spectacular in the mist and light fog, a green peaceful space. I love mediating as I hike and this is a favorite trail to refresh my heart and mind. From the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I connect with the Upper Dogwood, then to the Lower Dogwood and Floral Trails. As I head to the Promenade I check to see if wounded Mom Squirrel is in her usual turf. My heart aches as again there is no sign of her or her three beautiful babies. When I reach the top of the Tufa Terrace Trail stairs I spot a lovely little Chipmunk gathering a meal in it’s pouches. This is a perfect end to an already spectacular morning hike. Thank You for hiking with me today!

Seek Nature to free you heart!
Love,
Lee