March | 2013 | Hike Our Planet - Lee Hiller Nature Photography

The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring Tra La

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My Father use to sing softly as we tended the garden together. A favorite was the Gilbert and Sullivan tune “The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring” (Mikado)

The flowers that bloom in the spring,
Tra la,
Breathe promise of merry sunshine —
As we merrily dance and we sing,
Tra la,
We welcome the hope that they bring,
Tra la,

The day before he passed away my 82 year old Father sent my 66 year old Mother a note containing a pressed Violet (her favorite flower) from their garden. His only message “The flowers that bloom in the spring, Tra la”. Love, Joe

Whenever I see Violets along the trail I am reminded of their Love and Friendship.

Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Carolina Chickadee

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Carolina Chickadee

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail False Garlic

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Violets & False Garlic

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Flowing Tree

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Deadnettle

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail New Leaves

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Rose Verbena

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Woodspurge

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Woodspurge

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Woodspurge

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Yellow Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Yellow Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Yellow Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Yellow Star Grass

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Yellow Star Grass

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Birds Foot Violet

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Lichen Rock

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail False Garlic

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP North Mt Loop Tree In Bondage

: HSNP North Mt Loop Unfurling Spring Leaves

: HSNP North Mt Loop Unfurling Spring Leaves

: HSNP North Mt Loop Unfurling Spring Leaves

: HSNP North Mt Loop Unfurling Spring Leaves

: HSNP North Mt Loop Unfurling Spring Leaves

: HSNP North Mt Loop Unfurling Spring Leaves

: HSNP North Mt Loop Red Bud Tree

: HSNP North Mt Loop Red Bud Tree

March 29, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Birds Foot Violet, False Garlic, Hiking Trails, Hot Springs National Park, Mikado.Gilbert and Sullivan, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Oxalis, Photo Blog, Photography, Rose Verbena, Spring Leaves, star grass, Violet, Wildflowers | Leave A Comment »

Glorious Spring Birds and Wildflowers on West and Music Mountains

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Earlier this evening a bad combination of key strokes triggered the publishing of my unfinished empty blog… instead of typing madly and waxing poetic this will be a “Wordless Wednesday with Wings” Blog. The photographs were taken on my five mile hike across/around West and Music Mountains in Hot Springs National Park.

Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Canyon Trail

: HSNP Canyon Trail

: HSNP Canyon Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Canyon Trail Bluets

: HSNP Canyon Trail Bluets

: HSNP Canyon Trail Bluets

: HSNP Canyon Trail Carolina Wren

: HSNP Oak Trail

: HSNP Oak Trail Leaf Bud

: HSNP Oak Trail New Leaves

: HSNP Oak Trail New Leaves

: HSNP Oak Trail Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Oak Trail Yellow-Rumped Warbler

: HSNP Oak Trail Yellow-Rumped Warbler

: HSNP Oak Trail Yellow-Rumped Warbler

: HSNP Oak Trail Yellow-Rumped Warbler

: HSNP Sunset Trail

: HSNP Sunset Trail

: HSNP Sunset Trail

: HSNP Sunset Trail Carolina Chickadee In Elm Tree

: HSNP Sunset Trail Carolina Chickadee In Elm Tree

: HSNP Sunset Trail Carolina Chickadee In Elm Tree

: HSNP Sunset Trail Carolina Chickadee In Elm Tree

: HSNP Sunset Trail Carolina Chickadee In Elm Tree

: HSNP Sunset Trail Carolina Chickadee In Elm Tree

: HSNP Sunset Trail Carolina Chickadee In Elm Tree

: HSNP Sunset Trail

: HSNP Sunset Trail Green Tree Flowers

: HSNP Sunset Trail Henbit

: HSNP Sunset Trail Henbit

: HSNP Sunset Trail Male Cardinal

: HSNP Sunset Trail Male Cardinal

: HSNP Sunset Trail Male Cardinal

: HSNP Sunset Trail Pink Tree Flowers

: HSNP Sunset Trail Pink Tree Flowers

: HSNP Sunset Trail Pink Tree Flowers

: HSNP Sunset Trail White Tree Flowers

: HSNP Sunset Trail White Tree Flowers

: HSNP Sunset Trail White Tree Flowers

: HSNP Sunset Trail White Tree Flowers

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Chickweed

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Chickweed

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Chickweed

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Lance Leaf Toothwort

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Lance Leaf Toothwort

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Lance Leaf Toothwort

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Lance Leaf Toothwort

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Lance Leaf Toothwort

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Lance Leaf Toothwort

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Lance Leaf Toothwort

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Fly

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail New Growth

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail New Growth

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Stacked Rocks

: SONY DHSNP West Mt Loop Trail New Growth

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Magenta Green Plant

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Magenta Green Plant

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Magenta Green Plant

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Magenta Green Plant

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Magenta Green Plant

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Wildflower

: HSNP West Mt Loop Trail Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP West Mt Trail

March 27, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Arkansas Birds, Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Hot Springs National Park, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, Wildflowers, Yellow-rumped warbler | Leave A Comment »

Spring paints with a broad pallet of color along the trails

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Spring is a chaotic rapidly changing slideshow of color. Wildflowers, Rocks, Birds, new Leaves and flowering Trees are glorious eye candy along the trails. Nature always has surprises waiting for me to share via my lens. Yesterday’s surprise was the return of a favorite hiking partner, a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker. His vibrant red head glowed in the sunlight high above me. Before the drought of 2012 it was rare not to see one every day I hiked, sometimes on every trail across Hot Springs and North Mountains. This sighting was beautiful gift.

Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail

: HSNP Tufa Terrace trail Winding Vine

: HSNP Tufa Terrace trail Tree Buds

: HSNP Peak Trail Sunset Rock

: HSNP Peak Trail Bluets

: HSNP Peak Trail Bluets

: HSNP Peak Trail Bluets

: HSNP Peak Trail Bluets

: HSNP Peak Trail Bluets

: HSNP Peak Trail Bluet in the Sun

: HSNP Peak Trail

: HSNP Peak Trail

: HSNP North Mt Loop Red Bud Tree

: HSNP North Mt Loop Red Bud Tree

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Lichen

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Leaf Bud

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Flowering Tree

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Colorful Rock

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Male Red Bellied Woodpecker

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Male Red Bellied Woodpecker

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Male Red Bellied Woodpecker

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Male Red Bellied Woodpecker

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Male Red Bellied Woodpecker

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Male Red Bellied Woodpecker

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Wild Rocks

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Wild Rocks

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Wild Rocks

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Wild Rocks

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Wild Rocks

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Wild Rocks

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Wild Rocks

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Robin

March 26, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Arkansas Birds, Bluets, Hiking Trails, Hot Springs National Park, Male Red Bellied Woodpecker, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, rocks, violets, Wildflowers | Leave A Comment »

My Official First Day of Spring 2013 Photographs

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HSNP Dead Chief Trail Colorful Spring Growth

I hear Nature sing her ode to spring and am drawn into her arms. Her beauty is found in the tallest Trees and the tiniest sprouts. Spring is an awakening love rejuvenated after silent slumber.

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS The sequester has limited the budget of our National Parks. In many ways this is a bad thing… on the other hand in Hot Springs Nationals Park it may be a good thing. Let me explain… our Park managers seem to view Wildflowers as weeds and they mow them down even on Earth Day. Thankfully since the budget cuts began the Wildflowers in many of the easily accessible tourist locations are flourishing. Wildflowers are NOT weeds, they are beautiful and visitors would LOVE to see them. I say let them grow and paint the park. A manicured lawn is boring, a lawn with wildflowers creates beauty, attracts Butterflies and smiles. I am also thankful they announced they will not be grooming the trails during the sequester. Let the Forest have the opportunity to grow and flourish, the Wildlife will appreciate the extra food. I always feel cheated when I go for a hike and it looks like the edges of a city sidewalk instead of a wilderness trail.

PPS For those of you who Love Rocks (like me)… The mountains in Hot Springs National Park (Hot Springs, North, West, Sugarloaf, Music and Indian) are part of the Zig Zags which are the end of the Ouachitas. They were formed when the earth rolled a million give or take years ago and we have the cool diagonal layers you see in the image below. When you hike you will see a spectacular array of rocks including Crystal, Sandstone, Tufa, Novaculite etc… and the occasional Diamond too!

HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Rock Layers

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Tall Grass

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Henbit

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Mating Crane FliesHenbit

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Tri Colored Leaf

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail 1914 Marker Stairs

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Crane Fly

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Elm Seeds

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Elm Seeds

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Elm Seeds

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Elm Seeds

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Elm Seeds

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Colorful Spring Growth

: HSNP Dead Chief Trail Tufa Rocks

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Male Sparrow

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Male Sparrow

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Male Sparrow

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Myrtle/Periwinkle

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Rd Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Bluet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Novaculite

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Elm Seeds

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Elm Seeds

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Deadnettle

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Pussy Toes

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Pussy Toes

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Wild Plum Blossoms

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Wild Plum Blossoms

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Wild Plum Blossoms

: HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Black White Warbler

: HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Growing Crystals

: HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Flower Buds

: HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Odd Tree Root

: HSNP Promenade China Berries

: HSNP Promenade Elm Seeds

: HSNP Shorts Cut Trail Rock

: HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Flowering Quince

: HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Flowering Quince

: HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Henbit

: HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Myrtle/Periwinkle

: HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Leaf Bud

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail New leaves

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Rock Layers

March 21, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Arkansas Birds, first day of spring, Hiking Trails, Hot Springs National Park, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, rocks, Spring, Wildflowers | Leave A Comment »

Spring paints with new leaves, wings, rocks and flowers

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It’s Spring!
It rained for two days feeding the parched land across Arkansas and Nature is painting every surface with new life. In Hot Springs National Park the Forest reveals the delicate unfurling of spring Leaves. Soft green pods slowly opening to release green fronds from the sleeping sentinels. A tiny Titmouse flits from Tree to Tree stopping to sharpen its beak on a branch above me. Rain dampened Rocks create a soft pallet of colors on the surface of the trail cradled in fallen Leaves and Needles. Tiny Bluets create a purple haze hovering on willowy green stems above the rust colored Forest floor. Flowering white Wild Plum Trees call to winged pollen collectors with their glorious blossoms. Question Mark and Variegated Fritillary Butterflies Spread orange wings wide warming in the afternoon sun.

Today is Spring and it is calling your name so come out and play…
Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Canyon Trail Colorful Rock

: HSNP Canyon Trail Dried leaf

: HSNP Canyon Trail Question Mark Butterfly

: HSNP Canyon Trail Question Mark Butterfly

: HSNP Canyon Trail Sweet Gum Blossoms

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Black White Rock

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Bluets

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Bluets

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Bluets

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Bluets

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Colorful Rock

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Colorful Rock

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Colorful Rock Bluets

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Field Pansy

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail False Garlic

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Flowering Tree

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail HOT Pink Spiderwort

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Opening Leaf Bud

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Opening Leaf Bud

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spring Beauty

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spring Beauty

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spring Beauty

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spring Leaves

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Tufted Titimouse

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Tufted Titimouse

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Tufted Titimouse

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Tufted Titimouse

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Variegated Fritillary Butterfly

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail White Leaf Buds

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail White Leaf Buds

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Wild Plum

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Wild Plum

: HSNP Oak Trail Colorful Rock

: HSNP Oak Trail Colorful Rock

: HSNP Oak Trail Dandelion

: HSNP Oak Trail Green Fungi

: HSNP Oak Trail Leaf Bud

: HSNP Oak Trail Wooly Blue Violet

: HSNP Oak Trail Wooly Blue Violet

March 20, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Arkansas Birds, birds-foot Violets, Butterfly, Colorful Rock, Dog Violets, Hot Springs National Park, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, Question Mark Butterfly, Tufted Titmouse, Variegated Fritillary Butterfly, violets, Wildflowers | Leave A Comment »

Spring Serenade Begins in Hot Springs National Park Arkansas

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The soft serenade of Songbirds fills the air with a familiar melody as we head out for our hike along the Goat Rock Trail. Tiny reddish-pink maple blossoms have fallen in to the awaiting arms of the soft green moss below. On graceful limbs Leaf buds glow on tips reaching to the sun as others are putting on a floral show. Hopping, flitting and flying the tiniest of birds move in mixed flocks among the awakening Forest. A male Prairie Lizard lays still within the shadows striping the bark of a nearby Tree. Newly blooming Wildflowers spread petals of pink, purple, yellow, violet and white weaving their ground tapestry. Sweet scents fill the air luring winged beauties soaring above to taste nectar warmed by the sun. Spring has pulled us into her embrace.

Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Brids-Foot Violet

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Bluets

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Bluets

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Bluets

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Maple Blossom on Moss

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Maple Blossom on Moss

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Mourning Cloak Butterfly

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Mourning Cloak Butterfly

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pink Oxalis

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Bluets

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail White Flowering Tree

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail False Garlic

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Boot Camouflage

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNHSNP Goat Rock Trail False Garlic

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Pussy Toes

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Yellow Star Grass

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail View Indian Mt

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail View Indian Mt

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Field Pansy

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Olympia Marble Butterfly on False Garlic

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spiderwort

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Male Prairie Lizard

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Male Prairie Lizard

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Female Junco

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Female Junco

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Female Junco

: HSNP North My Loop Trees

March 14, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Arkansas Birds, birds-foot Violets, False Garlic, Hot Springs National Park, Junco, Male Prairie Lizard, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, Wildflowers, Yellow Star Grass | Leave A Comment »

Wildflowers and Birds among the Tree Sculptures

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Each hike reveals an ever changing open space art gallery. The winter Forest of Hot Springs National Park is filled with beautiful Tree sculptures. You can see a struggle for life in each trunk curve and branch bend. Pushed by storms, twisted by high winds, battered by ice and snow each Tree has a story to share. Colorful Rocks are a canvas for the lichen, mold and fungi to paint their glorious abstracts. Awakening wildflowers push through the leaves, twigs and seeds reaching for sunlight. Their late winter petal pallet of purple and violet dot the landscape. Lovely Birds are beginning to build homes in the branches that will soon be sheltered by new leaves. They sing sweet songs to visitors about the promise of spring. A living art gallery near you is waiting for you to visit… get out and play!

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS A storm is on the way so I took a detour after my hike to see the Cherry Blossoms

: HSNP Lower Dogwood Colorful Rock Moss

: HSNP Lower Dogwood Colorful Rock Moss

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Honeysuckle Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Bluets

: HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Bluets

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Mourning Dove

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Mourning Dove

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Winter

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Winter

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Winter

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Field Pansy

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Field Pansy

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Winter

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Carolina Chickadee

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Winter

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Winter

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Winter

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Female Downy Woodpecker

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Female Downy Woodpecker

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Goat Rock Trail Birds-Foot Violet

: HSNP Fountain Trail Wall

: HSNP Fountain St Lawn Periwinkle

: HSNP Floral Trail Henbit

: HSNP Floral Trail Colorful Rock

: Hot Springs, AR Cherry Blossom Petal on Water

: Hot Springs, AR Cherry Blossom Petal on Water

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

: Hot Springs, AR Japanese Cherry Blossoms

March 7, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Arkansas Birds, birds-foot Violets, Bluets, Carolina Chickadee, Cherry Blossoms, Dog Violet, Downy Woodpecker, Hot Springs National Park, Mourning Dove, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, violets, Wildflowers | Leave A Comment »

Wildflowers create tiny flourishes of color in the Winter Forest

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Before winter comes to an end and the leaves begin to create a canopy of green lovely Wildflowers delicately paint the Forest floor. The first Wildflowers to appear this year are Violets and Bluets. Their varying shades of purple with accents of yellow, pink and white are spectacular against the dried rust colored autumn Leaves along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail. The tiny blooms created a treasure hunt as I sought their delicate petals along the trail edges. At the top of the mountain a flash of red lead my eye to a Male Cardinal that landed on a branch above a newly revealed egg shaped rock. The rock reminded me of the eggs in the film Alien. It was another lovely winter hike with my husband.

Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Bluets

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Field Pansy

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Field Pansy

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Field Pansy

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Egg Rock reminded me of the eggs in the film Alien

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Log

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Male Cardinal

: HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Violet

March 3, 2013 | Categories: Hot Springs National Park | Tags: Bluets, Cardinal, Common Dog Violet, Dog Violet, Hiking Trails, Hot Springs National Park, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, Violet, Wildflowers | 1 Comment »

Irresistible Floral Force of Cherry Blossoms and Pansies

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I was drawn this morning out into the subfreezing wind to photograph the Japanese Cherry Blossoms and Pansies… again. Please forgive me but I don’t think this will be the last of my Cherry Blossom and Pansy photographs. If you love Cherry Blossoms the Trees in the Historic District of Hot Springs, Arkansas are putting on a beautiful show. New week they should be if full bloom.

Love to ALL!
Lee