Hot Spring Mountain Trail Deer Doe

Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail

Upper Dogwood Trail Deer Young Buck

Tufa Terrace Squirrel Babies

Basically I have been hiking much of the day, 3 1/2 hours this morning and another 1 1/2 hours this evening.  When I wasn’t hiking I was editing photographs.  As such I will give you a few highlights and let the wonderful creatures I saw in the morning and with Rick in the evening tell the tale of my fantastic day in the Forest.

I began on the Tufa Terrace Trail this morning and was greeted by two Squirrel babies racing around a Tree.  While I am watching them I realize I am giggling out loud and have a big grim on my face.  Their antics are wonderful.  When I reach the Peak Trail I spot two sets of Rabbit ears glowing in the new morning light. For half an hour they let me hang out and capture their beauty to share with you.   Eastern Cottontails are so lovely and it is a blessing to be so close to them.

On the Carriage Road a pretty little yellow Moth lands in front of me, I love it’s delicate colors.  I hike up the Dead Chief and the the Short Cut Trail to the Mountain Top.  When I Arrive I meet Cindy and Todd from Texas, Celebrating 20 yrs of marriage by hiking in Hot Springs National Park.  They want to visit Goat Rock, I give them trail directions and they in turn tell me about amazing places in Arkansas I need to visit.

I hike around the mountain via the Hot Springs Mountain Trail and at the junction with the Honeysuckle a lovely surprise.  In the distance I spot a pretty Doe gracefully moving through the Forest.  After I have taken several photographs she lets out a snort and leaps deeper into the Woods. She is a beauty and I feel blessed to see her.

I take the Honeysuckle to the Peak Trail and then over to the Tufa Terrace.  A lovely Squirrel is sitting at the ramp out of the park eating a tasty treat. It a perfect way to end my morning hike.

Several hours later, my husband Rick and I head up North Mountain via the Floral Trail. As we begin the hike a beautiful Dark Blue Butterfly lands on the path before us.  We hike up to the Lower Dogwood Trail and just before we reach the Upper Dogwood Trail I hear a large animal moving in the Forest above us.  As we  hike along the Upper Dogwood my wonderful Tall Husband spots a movement above us. He points me in the direction of his sighting, a young buck is watching us.  After staring at us for 15 minutes he strolls down behind the bramble and sneaks a few more looks at us.  In the end he casually leaps off into the Forest.

As we head down the mountain in the fading light fireflies dance in the edges of the forest.  It has been a perfect date night with with my Husband on North Mountain.

Open your senses to the beauty of Nature.
Love,
Lee