Lower Dogwood Trail Brown Moth White Flower

I am out the door at 8 am and the lower reaches of the park are already busy with tourists.  Heading to the Dead Chief and up to the Short Cut Trail I realize the higher I climb up onto the Mountain loud conversation diminishes.  I Love the climb from a physical perspective, my body revels in the beating of my heart and the oxygen being pulled into my lungs.  The further I travel into the Forest the physical turns to meditation and appreciation for the Natural beauty in which I am immersed.

Up top the Blue Jays that have been following me since I began my hike up the Mountain briefly reveal their presence.  They have been teasing me staying  just out of view high in the Tree tops.  Along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I spot a quickly moving black and white small bird I have never before seen.  Oxalis, Bird’s-Foot Violets and Spiderwort line the Trail in varying shades of purple, a lovely Honey Bee is flying from Flower to Flower.

The Spring greenery is getting thicker everyday, lush leaves and vines decorate the Trees along every Path.  My Forest is new everyday I hike, I Love watching the transformation and feeling the energy of the new life.  It is impossible not to be in awe of Nature’s artistry as the Seasons change.

As I hike up the lower Dogwood trail a Brown Moth brushes past my cheek as I am bent over photographing a berry flower. It lands on the white flower in front of me and it gracefully embraces the blossom to taste it’s nectar.  As the Butterfly leaves on the breeze a Honey Bee arrives diving into the flower.  It delicately brushes it’s body over it’s petals before flying away.

Higher up the Trail a Male Cardinal is singing, he moves from the lower branch to a high perch to bask and sing in the sunlight.  I complete the Lower Dogwood Trail loop and connect with the Floral Trail hiking down off North Mountain.  A brown Moth lands on the Trail in front of me and I can see an iridescent blue patch on it’s body. It is a very striking and unexpected color combination.  As I finish my hike and head down Fountain Street toward home a sweet Northern Mockingbird lands on a bush to my side.  It’s bold posing is perfect,  I have had an amazing morning in the park, thank you for coming with me.

Feel Nature it is all around you.
Love to You All,
Lee

PS the the Lovely House Sparrow was phototgraphed on my evening hike with Rick yesterday :o)