Promenade Juvenile Female Cardinal

Tufa Terrace Female House Sparrow

Tufa Terrace Eastern Cottontail

Arlington Beautiful Peony

Its already 90 degrees as I am heading out this morning at 7:50 a.m., the humidity is a visible haze.  I washed my sunglasses in warm water before I left so they are not foggy over as I head into the park.  As I reach the Arlington Lawn the girls a group of female House Sparrows are lined up looking at me from a bench back.   A beautiful Peony catches my eye glowing in the low light of the early morning.  A sweet little sparrow lands in the Tree next to me.  I look back to the bench to see a Male Cardinal has scared all the sparrows into nearby Trees.

I head up the Tufa Terrace Trail to the Promenade to see a lovely juvenile female Cardinal in a Tree catching the first light of morning.  She is singing a sweet tune as I head further up the Trail. I almost miss the male Eastern Cottontail in the earth and brush to my side. He is always a welcome sight, I wonder where is the female.  As I move ahead a juvenile black bird lands in a Tree above me, this young bird is about the size of a large adult Robin.  If you know what it is I would appreciate your help.

When I reach the Peak Trail Tufa Terrace junction a Small Sparrow lands near me on a branch.  As I finish taking a photograph, a Squirrel peeks out at me high in the leaves above. Near the end of the Carriage Road I spot two Chipmunks chasing each other across the Tufa Rocks.  I hope they will find a cool resting place for the day.  The heat is rising so I sip some water before I head up the Mountain.  Looking down at the steps leading to the Dead Chief Trail and notice it is crawling with striped garden Caterpillars.  I step carefully so as not to crush any of them.

When I reach the top of the first incline on the Dead Chief Trail I can hear a male Cardinal singing to the morning sun.  I turn to see a bright red male Cardinal sitting on a high branch.  He is spectacular is the early morning light.  The heat is climbing as I reach the Short Cut Trail and I sweat my way to the top of Hot Springs Mountain.  When I reach the picnic area there are no hikers, bikers or vehicles, I don’t blame them the humidity is draining.  I drink a lot of water before I continue my hike.

When I reach the Hot Springs Mountain Trail below the Pagoda I watch two juvenile Cardinals flitting and walking ahead of me.  I love all these wonderful young birds in the park, they are exuberant and show great joy for life.  They stay with me as I head deeper into the Forest.  I can’t stop thinking about the need for a big rain storm in the park.  On every trail the leaves are turning brown as if Autumn has arrived.

The heat is draining and I decide I better head home before I run out of water.  I leave the park on the Floral Trail where I spot a Grasshopper type insect sitting on a flat leaf.  Again if you know what it is I would appreciate your help with an identification.

Step outside and no matter where you are Nature will find you.

Much Love,
Lee

PS: Late this afternoon the rains came, beautiful Life Giving moisture so desperately needed in the Forest.