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All posts for the day January 9th, 2011

Hot Springs National Park First Snow of 2011 pt2

Posted by Lee Hiller on January 9, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Field Notes January 09 2011:
One of the great gifts is leaving across the street from a National Park is being able to get in there the minute the snow starts to fall. (see video Hot Springs National Park First Snow of 2011)  I had been prepped and ready to go since 9:00 am LOL  A few flurries as I entered the park quickly became rapid snow fall as I reach the Short Cut Trail.  At the top of Hot Springs Mountain White-Throated Sparrows and Juncos were frantically digging in the snow covered leaves for seeds.   There were several territorial disputes over digs sites that included diving and shoving.  I noticed this behavior last winter between Warblers and Sparrows on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail.

When I reached the Pagoda the snowfall was increasing to near white out levels so I put chains on my boots and checked my camera covers.  While I was making a video of the snow and lack of view I noticed the Park Police kept driving past on the mountain road.  After several passes I realized they were in the process of closing the road.  That was my cue to head back down the Mountain and of of the park.  The hike was visually impaired by the increasing snow fall and I only paused to take the occasional photograph including my Wedding Chapel on the Honeysuckle Trail.

By the time I reached the bottom of the Floral Trail the Park gates were closed and locked.  The snow was falling so hard 3:30 pm looked like 6:00 pm as I neared home and the only other people out were teens in the park having a snowball fight.

Love To You ALL!
Lee

PS Prepping now for today’s snow outing!

Hot Springs National Park First Snow of 2011 pt1

Posted by Lee Hiller on January 9, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

As per my previous post Spring Weather Before The First Snow… Special thanks to the Universe for listening! Although I will complete a blog entry tomorrow about my hike this video is for those who were not able to get into the park before the road was closed.  When I reached the top of Hot Springs Mountain at 2:30 pm today the park police began the processes of closing the road.  At 3:25 pm when I reached the bottom of the Floral Trail to leave the park the Hot Springs Mountain Road gates had been locked.

Spring Weather Before The First Snow

Posted by Lee Hiller on January 9, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

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I titled my blog with an air of hope that the weather forecasters are correct (listening to Valley Winter Song on my head phones while I type).  I believe saying/typing can make it real, I am sending a not so subtle message to the Universe for snow!

Field Notes January 08 2011:
It is amazing to stare up into a perfect blue sky and realize tomorrow or the next day at this same location I might be hiking through a cloud of white 🙂 Heading into the park I hear an interesting bird conversation.  I follow the sound and discover a sparrow conversing with a Male Cardinal.  The Male cardinal is throwing leaves about looking for seeds as the Sparrow looks on providing intermittent commentary.

As I move up into the park on what appears to be a perfect spring day in winter the park is surprisingly quiet.  Those creatures visible however are very busy and likely preparing for the incoming storm.  Along the upper part of the Tufa Terrace a sweet honeysuckle fragrance leads me to a bush covered in cream flowers.  Honey Bees are flying from flower to flower gathering the pollen from within the elongate bells.  The floral perfume is intoxicating and as I close my eyes feeling the sun caress my face it is hard to believe it is winter.

On the Short Cut Trail a grasshopper is climbing up a branch, the low winter sun causing it to glow.  It is beautiful as it moves gracefully hand over hand higher into the Tree.  Further along I hear tapping and lively pipping sounds.  A male Downy Woodpecker is moving from Tree to Tree looking for it’s morning feast.  I admire the industrious spirit of these tiny birds and feel blessed to see them when I am hiking.

When I reach the Hot Springs Mountain Trail the Trees in the picnic area are silent.  I scan the tops and trunks but there is no movement.  Reaching the half way point on the east side of the Mountain I arrived in time to see a mixed flock of small birds flying rapidly through the Trees.  They are so fast I can only spot a Black-Capped Chickadee and a Nuthatch.  A few minutes later pecking and a cackling bird call lead my eye to a far off Tree.  In a large V of pale branches a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker it seeking nourishment.

Heading home I spot a pretty American Finch flying from limb to limb in a Short Leaf Pine.  Its delicate maneuvers fills my heart with a joy that carries me through the forest to the bottom of the Floral Trail.  Communing with Nature is a privilege I never take for granted, a blessing not as easily available to many who read my blog entries.  Thank you for traveling with me on the trails of the Mountains and Forests in Arkansas.  I appreciate your blog comments, even if we don’t always agree.  Special thanks to those who kindly assist me in identifying the many birds and wildflowers, your help is a kindness beyond mere words.

Much Love,
Lee

PS: To those who contacted me with concerns that I had not posted lately… My beloved husband Rick has been in the hospital off and on the past week for a now discovered large kidney stone that halted his left kidney function.  He currently has a kidney stent and will have lithroscopy to break up the stone this week.

PPS: Update: It is snowing!