It’s been a busy two days so I have combined photos from yesterday and today. I started my hike yesterday with lovely Bunnies (Eastern Cottontails) grazing in the grass on the Peak Trail. As I crept into the glen slowly not wanting to startle them. For half an hour I enjoyed the beauty of these graceful creatures. As I slowly back up I glance to my side and saw I had attracted an audience. I imagine somewhere out in cyberspace are photos of me photographing the bunnies.
I ended yesterdays hike with a hilarious encounter with a sweet perhaps pregnant Chipmunk. I noticed it was climbing down the Tufa Rocks and coming toward me as I stood on the Tufa Terrace Trail. It came closer, closer and shot between my feet then headed up the terrace. After a moment she turned around and came back toward me and between my feet again. She went up a stump and sat in from of me, I can see the 106 degree heat has her feeling itchy. I think she is either pregnant or recently so.
This morning I hiked up the Dead Chief to the Short Cut Trail and up to the Mountain Top. The thunder storms from the night before and dark morning skies has the residence of the park hidden away. I decide to hike down the Mountain on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail to the Honeysuckle Trail and onto the Floral Trail.
I cross over to North Mountain and hike up the Floral to the Lower Dogwood Trail. I hike around the north side of the Trail, a surprise awaits me as I reach the west end. A sweet Northern Mockingbird Juvenile is in the Tree above me. It looks down at me then flies up to a top branch, picks a berry and holds it out for me to see.
Further along I see a flash of red moving through the Trees, a male Cardinal lands on the low branch. It does not stay long and moves to were a female is nesting with a new chick. It is a blessing to see this beautiful family in the Forest today. I cannot wait to get home and share my adventure with my Husband Rick.
Play in Nature everyday!
Love,
Lee
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
- Hot Springs Mountain Trail Blue Jay
- Hot Springs Mountain Trail Blue Jay
- Hot Springs Mountain Trail Carolina Wren
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Peak Trail Eastern Cottontail
- Tufa Terrace Brown Thrasher
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Tufa Terrace Chipmunk
- Lower Dogwood Baby Bird
- Lower Dogwood Black and White Warbler
- Lower Dogwood Black and White Warbler
- Lower Dogwood Black and White Warbler
- Lower Dogwood Black and White Warbler
- Lower Dogwood Cardinal Chick
- Lower Dogwood Female Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Female Cardinal And Chick
- Lower Dogwood Female Cardinal And Chick
- Lower Dogwood Female Cardinal And Chick
- Lower Dogwood Female Cardinal And Chick
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal And Chick
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Male Cardinal
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
- Lower Dogwood Northern Mockingbird Juvenile
So very precious Lee, love these close up, sweet photographs! Adorable! Wonderful to be so well connected and close with nature. Inspires poetry for me! =)
Thank You for visiting my blog and leave these beautiful words.
Kindest Thoughts and Wishes,
Lee
This was a great day once again. Love all the animals and the
lush greenery from the rain. Wow. Love ur Rick
I love the chipmunk photos
we took our goldens for a walk – I spotted a wild rabbit on someone’s lawn, so we made sure we had firm grips on the leashes.
the rabbit sat up and froze like it was a lawn ornament
we walked by within a few feet and our dogs never gave it a glance
rabbits are very resourceful
Generally when I photograph them now they give me som really funny looks. Although they have plenty of places to hide they stay and allow me to photograph them.
Kindest Thoughts and Wishes,
Lee