Lower Dogwood Trail Male Box Turtle

Tufa Terrace Eastern Cottontail

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Male Downy Woodpecker

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Morning Sky

Goat Rock Trail Oxeye Daisy

It is a glorious morning, a little cooler and a light breeze tugs at the edges of my hair.   The Sun is kissing the top of the cloud sending rays across the blue sky.  I head up the Tufa Terrace and am greeted by a lovely male Eastern Cottontail.  He begins to dig in the dirt, rolls around and then lays flat against the earth.  I have never witnessed a Rabbit rolling in the dirt and wonder if this is a normal activity.

I head up the Mountain via the Dead Chief and Short Cut Trails reaching the top in record time.  A quick drink then I head over to the Hot Spring Mountain Trail, a juvenile Cardinal awaits me as I step onto the path.  I love how its new voice joins the forest choir.  Further along the trail I hear a lovely tapping sound far off in the green.  I follow the sound and spot a sweet male Downy Woodpecker.  I love how it beeps and hops then stops and taps on the wood.  It is tiny and delicate with a mighty beak.

When I reach the trail head I decide to enjoy the cool breeze and hike down the Gulpha Gorge Trail.  Next I head over to  the Goat Rock Trail for an extra workout while it is a relatively lower in temperature.  I enjoy the quiet beauty as I hike along the trail.  The Goat Rock Trail is empty and I wonder if the joggers and hikers are still waiting for a colder day.  Hidden in the heated rocks I find Wildflowers still struggling to survive.  Beautiful Oxeye Daisies look glorious, they are some of the last flowers still blooming in the park.

From the Goat Rock Trail I connect with the Upper Dogwood Trail.  My hike is quiet and peaceful, a wondrous breeze is delicately moving through the leaves.  The Forest appears to be sparkling as the sun twinkles between the leaves. I see a lovely little Vireo staring down at me.  When I reach the Lower Dogwood Trail I literally skid to a halt.  In the middle of the trail is a male Box Turtle.  He has a glorious red head and large yellow spots on his front legs.  This it the first time I have clearly seen the sharp nails on the front feet and the large claws on the back feet.   I move down the trail and watch to make sure he safely makes it to the side.  I want to make sure he does not get run over by a jogger.

I hike down the Floral Trail and over to the park fountain to fill my water container.  A lovely brown moth keeps landing on me and I am trying not to bump it as I get some water.  I put a little water on the wall in hopes anything needing a drink can get a little water.  It as been a glorious morning in the park.

Find a moment of peace in Nature.
Much Love,
Lee