All Images in this slide show are clickable below
as always we welcome your comments
Hike One:
Evening hikes are always with my beloved Husband Rick, it is a special time for us. As we head up Fountain Street to fill our water containers a large yellow and green moth lands in the Trees next to us. It blends in beautifully and even has a glossy finish on it’s wings looking more leaf like. After we fill up at the fountain I see a spectacular yellow and black Garden Spider wrapping up it’s dinner. It is the biggest one I have seen this year.
Rick and I head up the Floral Trail as the light of day begins to fall. When we reach the top of the trail we can see a sweet Squirrel hanging upside down chiseling away at a nut for it’s evening meal. We climb up the Lower Dogwood and connect with the Upper Dogwood Trail. As we crest the incline a rapidly moving baby Copperhead Snake crosses the path. Wow, they are fast and I am so happy I did not accidentally step on it’s tiny body. We hike down the Hot Springs Mountain Trail and finish our hike on the Hot Springs Mountain Road stopping to get more water when we reach the bottom.
As we are heading down Fountain Street Rick says, “Look” and points to the berm. A brown beaver is hunting for clover only a few feet to our side. I look back and whisper “Thank You”. As the light fades I move closer and try to get a photo in the Twilight. It continues eating and is coming so close we back up to keep from being stepped on. As a large vehicle passes by the Beaver decides it is time to move back up into the Forest.
We have had a wonderful evening hike and it ends with a Blue Crescent Moon. It has been a perfect date night hike!
LOVE to You ALL
Lee
Hike Two:
The morning is a lovely 65 degrees as I head out the door, a cool breeze is moving through the park. Park staff are watering Trees and Bushes so the lower part of the Park is noisy and wildlife appears to be hiding. The Asiatic Dayflowers are blooming at the end of the Carriage Road, I never tire of their beauty. I hike up the Dead Chief and Short Cut Trails to reach the top of Hot Springs Mountain. A California Wren sings a sweet song as I near the picnic area.
I stop to have a drink of water and can see activity further along the path. A Male Cardinal is getting water at the stone drinking fountain and below a juvenile Robin is standing in a pool of water looking up at the Male Cardinal. This is the first juvenile Robin I have ever photographed, it is glorious. It is a blessing to see the new life in the park.
As I make my way along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail a tiny Black-Capped Chickadee sings a spirited song. In between it’s solo berries are nibbled for a morning feast. In the last of the summer green I head for the trail head listening to the Forest chorus. I cross onto North Mountain and I suddenly have a great need to call my family in Oregon. I end my dialog here as a health problem was being dealt with as my call was answered and I walked out of the Forest focused elsewhere.
Please note neither Rick nor myself were the ones with the health problem.
Much Love to You ALL,
Lee