Ornate Box Turtle Firmly Grasping Breakfast

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 28, 2018
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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I have spotted turtles on almost every trail in Hot Springs National Park.  Tiny to big I have admired their beauty and ability to survive on a variety of terrain. Other than munching leaves I have rarely seen a turtle eat in the wild.   A morning hike revealed a juvenile ornate box turtle on the trail pulling a big worm from the ground for its breakfast.  I moved carefully around admiring the firm grasp on the prized food.  This is the second ornate box turtle I have seen in the park this year (different mountains/trails) and hopefully this is a sign of population growth.

Love to ALL!
Lee

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Chipmunk Rock Outcrop Habitat

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 26, 2018
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Mostly I see chipmunks scurrying on fallen trees, popping out of fallen leaves and sitting on twigs or small rocks.  Recently I heard a noise above me in a small tree growing from a tall rock outcrop.  I expected to see a bird or maybe a squirrel but not a chipmunk.  Atop the rock the chipmunk had created a home.  On close inspection what looked like random debris on the rock surface was a carefully built structure.  A moss. leaf, fern, mud hut for the chipmunk with an easily overlooked entrance.  The small trees growing from the rock had berries which the chipmunk was climbing to retrieve and then sit and eat.  When I say sit I mean like a human might on a chair.  This was a place I had passed on hundred plus occasions and on this day its secrets were revealed.

I love my classroom.  Nature always has something new to show me.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Little details along the trail edges

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 29, 2018
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It is hard no to get excited by long trail shots and the canopy created by spring leaves.  I stand in awe of them before each hike.  The tiny details along the trail edges are the delicate brush stroke on Nature’s canvas. They are a delightful and every changing reminder of the fragile ecosystem we share.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Raindrop Bokeh in the Glittering Meadow

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 27, 2018
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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From a sky which appeared cloudless a spring shower falls into the meadow. Plants for which I have no name hold the drops on tiny filaments lining the prong like structures.  In the magic morning light a glittering meadow appears providing a lovely opportunity to capture the glittery drops and the bokeh effect.

If you know what these plants are could you please leave the name in the comments. I wounder if they are a grass or a wildflower as there seemed to be teeny little flowers (maybe) sprouting from the filaments.

Love to ALL!
Lee

 

 

 

Beautiful Surprise – Needham’s Skimmer Dragonfly

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 26, 2018
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I spend many morning looking for wildflowers and in the soft morning glow I caught sight of something else.  A glittering golden stripe among the green on closer inspection was a spectacular Needham’s Skimmer Dragonfly.

Get out an play!

Love to ALL!
Lee