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All posts for the month September, 2010

Field Notes: Ice Ribbons and Frost Flowers

Posted by Lee Hiller on September 25, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments
Hot Springs National Park Mountain Trail Ice Ornament

Hot Springs National Park Mountain Trail Ice Flower

Hot Springs National Park Mountain Trail Ice Cocoon

Hot Springs National Park Mountain Trail Ice Cocoon

Dead Chief Trail - Nature's Ice Ribbon Sculptures (Gulpha Gorge)

In January of 2010 I first noticed these ice formations on the trails, I reached down to pick them up thinking they were plastic. My intention had been to clean up the mess left in the Forest.  Once in my hand I realized they were beautiful pieces of ice, I immediately felt guilty for disturbing Nature’s beautiful art.   In Hot Springs National Park I only saw these beautiful creations on the north face of  the Hot Springs Mountain Trail and the South face on the Dead Chief Trail heading to the Gulpha Gorge.  Both of these areas had one trait in common, they always felt colder than other places in the park.  It often felt as if I was stepping into a curtain of cold air when I would reach these specific locations on the Trail. I learned later these are known as microclimates, a microclimate is a localized atmospheric zone where the differs climate conditions differ from the surrounding area. Learn More: Encyclopedia Britannica: Microclimates

My original thought had been that these formed by freezing on vegetation and then sliding perhaps twisting down to the ground.  The truth, they are caused by moisture extruding from cracks in the base of a dead plant stem. The ribbons of ice are pushed out the dead stems and form the beautiful shapes as found in my photographs above.  I hope to capture many more this coming winter. Learn More: Ice Ribbons and Frost Flowers

Nature is the best classroom, I am a very enthusiastic student.
Much Love,
Lee

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Autumn Equinox and Predator Redux

Posted by Lee Hiller on September 24, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

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The Predator Redux:
A lovely little gray cat is on the move in the park and it appears not to be feral.  I followed it up the Dead Chief and watched it climb through a fence onto the ramp of the nurses apartments on the adjacent hospital grounds.   I meowed it meowed back and we had a lovely little conversation.  It did not run, it was a happy lovely kitty Cat.  Unfortunately it is both a danger to wildlife and is in danger from some of the wildlife.  If you read this and know whose cat this is please ask them to keep it indoors.

Autumn Equinox:
Please enjoy the lovely changes overtaking the  leaves of the Forest in Hot Springs National Park.  Red, yellow, coral and rust are touching the green foliage along all the trails.  This glorious event heralds the hibernation/dormancy of many Trees in the Forest.  Each season has it’s beauty and this is Nature’s version of fireworks, a brief but spectacular display. Let us celebrate the glorious transition to winter.

Get out and play in the newly fallen leaves it will return youth to your heart!
Much Love,
Lee

Winging My Way Through the Park and Twilight Snakes

Posted by Lee Hiller on September 21, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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I want to begin by thanking Twitter friends @avocadocreation @melisheath for identifying the Spotted Cucumber Beetle on the pink Peony.  At the Arlington Lawn Peonies are still blossoming as are several bushes.  These bushes are attracting a beautiful array of insects this morning it is lovely moths drinking the nectar of the white bell shaped flowers.

Leaving this late this morning I am quickly aware I have missed the morning breakfast run of my Forest friends.  From the Tufa Terrace up to the top of the mountain via the Peak Trail it is so quiet.  A gorgeous orange Moth is sunning itself on a lichen covered Tree. Further up the trail a beautiful Red Spotted Purple Butterfly sits on a leaf bath in the glow of a ray of sunlight.

Once I reach the top I pass several hiking groups on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail, the second wave of tourists mostly retirees.  People and Dogs equals  mammals in hiding along the Trail.  A lovely Tufted Titmouse sings a sweet song to me as I hike toward toward North Mountain. I glance up to see it peeking down from high in the Tree ahead of me.

When I reach the North Mountain I connect with the Upper Dogwood Trail.  It is a meditative hike, a chance to listen to my Soul as I move among the Trees.   When I reach the Upper and Lower Dogwood fork I see a spectacular sight on the last day of summer.  High in the canopy one Tree has changed into it’s Autumn splendor.  It’s a color is only the first of what will soon paint the Forest in Hot Springs National Park.

Down the Floral Trail, off North Mountain to Fountain Street to fill my water bottle with wonderful mineral water. I decide to stop by the Arlington Lawn on my way home to see what is feeding on the nectar of the flowering bushes.  A sweet sparrow looks down at me from a Magnolia Tree as I head across the lawn.  Across the park I can see a family of House Sparrows is enjoying a feast in the grass near a hedge.  It is wonderful to see the young birds taking flight and moving around the park.  A lovely Bumble Bee is feeding on the nectar of a near-by flowering bush pushing the smaller Moths out of its way.  Nature is always busy with life, it never fears change.

Get out and play!
Much Love,
Lee

PS on my Twilight hike with my beloved Husband Rick we saw sweet Ring-Neck Snake and this amazing Copperhead Snake…

Field Notes: Damselfly Dragonfly its in the Wings and Eyes

Posted by Lee Hiller on September 19, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 9 Comments

In May I posted a photo on Twitter I figured it was just another Dragonfly, fortunately for me Nature photographer Kerri Far (@KerriFar) let me know it was it fact a Damselfly.  Thus began my fact finding journey into determining the difference between the two.

A quick glance at my photographs and it is the wings.  The Damselfly wings lay parallel their body when at rest, Dragonfly wings stay out stretched.  On closer inspections the hindwing of the Dragonfly broadens at the base and is stubbier, while the hindwing of the Damselfly is similar to the forewing.  It is however when you look into their eyes you see the Dragonfly eyes a set together, but the Dameselfly eyes are set apart.

Insect Group Odonata
The group is divided into two distinct sub-orders, Zygoptera/Damselflies and Anisoptera/Dragonflies.

Zygoptera/Damselflies – Means paired-wings’ i.e. All four wings are for the most part equal in size and shape. Damselflies are small, delicate flying insects that usually stay near to the water.
Anisoptera/Dragonflies – means ‘unequal-winged’i.e  Rear or hind wings are generally shorter and broader than forewings. Dragonflies are much larger than the damsels and can often be found flying far from water.

I Love learning new things, Nature has so much to teach us all.
Much Love,
Lee

Southern Spreadwing (Lestes australis), male Dragonfly

HSNP Ricks Pond Blue Dragonfly

Tufa Terrace Rose Hips Blue Dragonfly

HSNP Ricks Pond Green Dragonfly

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Dragonfly

Dead Chief Trail Dragonfly

Floral Trail Common Blue Damselfly

Floral Trail ebony jewelwing damselfly

Gulpha Creek Black Winged Damselfly

Field Notes: Mixed-Species Foraging Flock Robins and Waxwings

Posted by Lee Hiller on September 17, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

I need to start by making it clear that I am not a scientist nor do I have a degree in any field of wildlife study.  What I am is an observer detailing what I see when I am hiking.  It is a blessing to have the Internet as a resource so I might learn more about Nature.

I have been reading about mixed-species foraging flocks, it appears they generally join together when one flock joins another at a feeding location.  However in this case the Robins and Cesar Waxwing have been flock together for at least eleven days possibly longer.  The Robins were only the dominant flock on the Tufa Terrace  January 22 2010 when they flew in and began frantically feeding on berries.  In fact the Cedar Waxwings pushed the Robins out of the Tree when their flock arrived.  Later on February 07 2010 I saw Robins and Cedar Waxwings on the Honeysuckle Trail.  I noted at the time it was the first time I had seen Robins on that trail.  Move ahead to February 18 2010 I note in my blog that I am surprised to see a flock of Robins up at the Hot Springs Mountain Pagoda.  Not long after I note a large group of Cedar Waxwings appear. The Waxwings are smaller in size  but appear to be the dominant group in this mixed flock.

Below are my field notes, photos from Winter 2010 regarding my sightings of American Robins (Thrush) and Cedar Waxwings (Flycatcher) flocking together.

January 22 2010: “The decision to hike back to the top and go down the Peak trail proved fortuitous.  As I walked the last few feet of the Peak trail a large flock of birds landed in a nearby Juniper tree and began feasting on the berries.  The frenzy was an amazing site and I later discovered they were Cedar Waxwings. A Robin moved to a higher tree  to watch the the show unfold below.

Hot Springs National Park Tufa Terrace Cedar Waxwing Flock

Hot Springs National Park Tufa Terrace Cedar Waxwing Flock

February 07 2010: “The biggest surprise was to be revealed to me on one of my favorite trails.  As I crested the first incline of the Honeysuckle Trail I was greeted by a flock of Robins, it was the first time I had seen them on this part of the trail.  The bigger surprise was their traveling companion, a large Cedar Waxwing.  I kept thinking when I got home my photos would really show it was only a pale Robin,  a fine feathered illusion.”

Hot Springs National Park Honeysuckle Trail Cedar Waxwing

Hot Springs National Park Honeysuckle Trail Cedar Waxwing

February 18 2010: “When I reached the top the picnic area was silent and there appeared to be very view birds.  However, as I moved toward the Pagoda I saw a large flock of Robins, they ignored me as I walk through them to the steps.

I had finished my view shot and from the corner of my eye saw a bright fluttering in the large tree next to me.  I could see these were not Robins and when I put my camera up the zoom revealed a flock of Cedar Waxwings.  Looking below I could see the two flocks were mixed together.  This was the second time I had witnessed Robins and Cedar Waxwings flocking together.  It was a spectacle of acrobatics and feeding, I hardly knew where to look next. I photographed a rare Cedar Waxwing that had Red tail tips instead of yellow.”

Mixed Species Foraging Flock Robins Cedar Waxwings

Mixed Species Foraging Flock Robins Cedar Waxwings