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All posts for the month July, 2010

Chipmunks, Speckled Kingsnake, Mockingbird and Butterfly

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 31, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Hot Springs National Park, AR Tufa Terrace Chipmunk

Hot Springs National Park, AR Short Trail Speckled Kingsnake

Carriage Road Northern Mockingbird

Hot Springs National Park, AR Tufa Terrace Chipmunk

I always feel blessed when I enter the park, to live across the street from a National Park is a gift.  This morning as I head up the Tufa Terrace a lovely Chipmunk is having breakfast sitting upon a Tufa Rock.  I am extremely still as I watch this little sweetie forage for seeds.  Suddenly it dives into a burrow hole and I am about to leave when I see a man with a dog has passed behind me.  As soon as they are out of site the sweet Chipmunk reappears.  I notice a head wound and can understand why it might be cautious of the dog.

I head up the Carriage Road then up the Dead Chief Trail and onto the Short Cut Trail.  I have barely begun my hike up the Short Cut Trail when I spot a lovely green surprise on the trail.  It is a young Speckled Kingsnake, the little beauty coils as I approach.  I approach with caution although this is a non-poisonous snake that feeds on mice and often venomous snakes.  Once it decides I am not a threat it gracefully slithers off the trail and into the undergrowth.

When I reach the top I connect with the Hot Springs Mountain Trail a cool breeze is ruffling all the leaves.  As the sunlight peeks through the moving leaves I see a lovely butterfly.  It flies over my head and I follow it back up the trail.  It lands on a sunny leaf and as I am taking a photo I hear the crunching of leaves, after the second photo the loud snap of a twig.    I Keep looking to my side expecting to see the lightning fast body of a Chipmunk, but still nothing in sight.  I hike further up the trail and on closer inspection I spot a box turtle that appears to have slid down the bank.  As I am trying to get a photo I get a first hand experience, ending up on my butt next to the Turtle.  Not sure which of us is more surprised.

I connect with the Honeysuckle Trail and head down the floral Trail to Fountain Street.  When I reach the Arlington Lawn I am so excited to see a Squirrel, since the series of heatwaves sightings have been rare.  As I am about to take a photograph a Chipmunk shows up and scares the Squirrel. LOL I have never seen a Squirrel being chased away by a Chipmunk, until now.  Everyday my knowledge is expand by lessons from Nature.

Dance, sing and play in the outdoors today!
Love,
Lee

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Thank You Hot Springs Sentinel-Record

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 30, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

I would like to Thank Alison Harbour and the Sentinel-Record of Hot Springs Arkansas for featuring my photograph Spring Storm Beauty in your Newspaper today.  Also a special thank You to the Arkansas Gazette and the voters for selecting “Springs Storm Beauty” for the Peoples Choice Award.

Love,
Lee

PS: (Click on Image below enlarge)

Hot Springs, AR Sentinel-Record Newspaper Article

Tufa Terrace Wild Rose

Wonderful Cool Breezes In the Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 29, 2010
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Hot Springs Mountain Trail Brown Orange Blue Moth

Tufa Terrace Eastern Cottontail

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Pagoda Brown Moth

Honeysuckle Trail Baby Pines In Stump

The sky is awaiting the arrival of the sun as I enter the park this morning. Cool breezes are ruffling the leaves on Trees and Bushes and a golden glow is beginning to appear above the Trees as I reach the top of Tufa Terrace. A beautiful Eastern Cottontail is munching on a delicious grassy breakfast.  Further along a pair of Mourning Doves sit watching me high in a Tree above the trail.

When I reach the Carriage Road a tiny Sparrow lands on the wrought iron border fence.  It looks like a sweet little jail bird.  I hike up the Dead Chief and Short Cut Trails to the Mountain Top.  When I reach the pagoda the view although spectacular is overshadowed by a moth feeding on the ledge below me. Sometimes its the tiniest of creatures that overwhelm the panorama before us.

I continue my hike along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail and revel in the cool breeze caressing my forehead. The leaves are twinkling in the sunlight as I look high into the Forest canopy. On this perfect summer morning I am surprised I have not yet passed anyone on the trail.  When I reach the west side of the trail loop a gorgeous Moth lands in the grass in front of me. It is brown with orange details and blue eye wing markings that glimmer in the sunlight.

Finally another hiker appears, it is Halcom and I we exchange salutations as we pass one and other. I decide to take the Honeysuckle Trail to the Floral Trail.  When I reach the trail junction I spot two tiny pines sprouting up from an old stump. New trees sprouting where a life ended seems a perfect example of the Forest cycle of life.  As I hike down the Floral Trail I feel as always blessed to have this precious time in the Park.  At least once in your life visit a National Park each one is an inheritance that belongs to every citizen of this nation.

Play today outside and let Nature embrace you.
Love,
Lee


The Details Create a Beautiful Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 28, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Tufa Terrace Rain Drop Pink Buds

Upper Dogwood Trail Colorful Fungi

Lower Dogwood Trail Stenciled Leaves

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Juvenile Tufted Titmouse

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

As I step out the door this morning the skies are gray and the clouds not only block the sun but obscure the view of the Tower.  I am hopeful the Sun will prevail, but carry my rain hat just in case I am incorrect.  As I reach the top of the Tufa Terrace ramp a lovely female Cardinal briefly lands in the Tree above me.  She is carrying a beak full of pine needles for rebuilding her nest perhaps.

When I reach the Peak Trail a Juvenile Cardinal is singing to the new day as the sun is highlighted by parting clouds. In the sunlight I notice a beautiful sandstone rock with beautiful veins of quartz.  I Love how new things are revealed everyday in the park.

From the Carriage Road I hike up the Dead Chief and Short Cut Trails to reach the top of Hot Springs Mountain.  I cross the picnic area as a family begins grilling an outdoor breakfast. Some food just smells better when its being cooked over hot coals.  I feel a pang of hunger as I begin hiking on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail.  I can  hear a flock of small birds traveling high above me through the Trees.  I love these sweet mixed flocks of birds I often encounter in the park.  This one is comprised of Black-Capped Chickadees, Juvenile Orange-Crowned Warblers, Juvenile Tufted Titmouse and Great Crested Flycatchers.  My favorite moment was looking up to see a Juvenile Titmouse hanging upside down staring at me.

From the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I hike up the North Mountain Loop to connect with the Upper Dogwood Trail.  On the trail I can see debris from the storm last night.    When I reach the Lower Dogwood the erosion on the Lower Dogwood Trail makes the hike a bit slower as I navigate the newly exposed jagged rock surfaces.  On the Floral trail the skies begin to darken, a tiny delicate orange moth zooms past and grips a pine needle that is under a leaf.  The perfect umbrella as short rain shower passes over the Trail.

Delight is all Nature shows you.
Love,
Lee

Chipmunks, Cardinal, Dragonfly and Guest Hiker

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 27, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , . 1 Comment

Southern Spreadwing (Lestes australis), male Dragonfly

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Summer Rain

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Juvenile Male Cardinal

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Chipmunk

Today’s hike is a bit different for two reasons; one I did not get out the door until 10:00 a.m. and two my beloved Husband Rick came with me on my hike.   As I was not alone my narrative is going to be in the past tense rather than in the moment.  I tend to immerse myself in the Forest when I am alone, it would not have been fair to meditate when I am hiking with someone else 🙂

We entered the park at the Arlington Lawn and I finally spotted a Southern Spreadwing Dragonfly landing on the hedge that surrounds the entrance.  It was an amazing sight with a black and white body and  rust with blue green rimmed eyes.  Having watched them only in turbo speed flight it is wonderful to see the beautiful detail.  We hiked up the Tufa Terrace and saw a beautiful Chipmunk on the Tufa Rocks near the top,  a brief encounter as it quickly vanishes into the bramble.

From the Tufa Terrace Rick and I headed down the Carriage Road and up the Dead Chief trail.  As we reached the top of the first incline a van on the park road went by and the Youth Conservation Corps members from my blog photo yesterday all waved at me.  From the Dead Chief we hiked up the Short Cut Trail to the Top of Hot Springs Mountain.

We took the Hot Springs Mountain Trail after a brief stop to enjoy some fresh spring water. When we passed the Pagoda I heard a Cardinal singing to the sun, I looked up and saw a Juvenile Male Cardinal in his new fully turned to red feathers.  He was a beautiful sight perched high upon a piece of dead wood.  We spent several moments enjoying his newly found voice.

Further along the trail we spotted a sweet Chipmunk on the Trail, it quickly dashed down the bank and along a log.  It had distinctive white markings around it’s eyes and a dark rust body.  Rick and I traveled further down the trail and he spotted a Chipmunk climbing on the side of a downed Tree. These fallen Trees are perfect Chipmunk condos.  Along the trail there were signs of last nights rain storm, beautiful rain covered leaves and puddles.  The ground foliage looked greener, less burnt and wilted.

After we crossed over to North mountain we connected with the Upper Dogwood then the lower Dogwood and finally the Floral Trail to Leave the Forest.  It’s been wonderful to see the the park feeling refreshed from the rain.  As I am typing my blog several large rain storms have passed through the park giving it even more of the much needed rain. Rain is life!

Dance in the Rain and feel refreshed by Nature’s liquid joy.

Love,
Lee

PS Not to My Husband Rick “Congratulations on your first morning hike since your heart attack!” I Love You Baby!