Hike Our Planet - @HikeOurPlanet

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I had a beautiful hike in the Spring Forest yesterday morning and a second later that afternoon with my husband Rick.  I hope you will forgive the brief text today and enjoy the photographs that chronicle my morning hike.  As it is Wednesday I am trying to be light on the words and invoke a limited “Wordless Wednesday” for my blog.

The Spring Forest is both beautiful and for this photographer filled with obstacles.   Beauty is found in the birth of new Leaves, Birds building nests and the sprouting of colorful Wildflowers.  The slowly unfurling Leaves and newly sprouting vines create both a barrier that allows me to be somewhat hidden, but also hides that which I wish to see.  Along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I hear below me the delicate crunching of leaves and I quickly duck behind a large Tree.  In the distance passing between the jumble of Leaves, Vines, Bushes and Trees I can see the shapes of Whitetail Deer moving slowly along what once was the road for carriages, although overgrown the outline of its flattened surface is still visible.  They are a perfect Deer trail as remnants of the old roads are hidden throughout the park.

My line of sight is obscured by the new spring growth, I decided to head quietly along the path and connect with the Honeysuckle Trail which is lower on the north side of the Mountain.  When I arrived at the Wedding Chapel, aka NPS rest hut I go inside hoping it will camouflage my presence. Barely five minutes have past when I hear the graceful crunching of the Deer as they moved toward me across the dead autumn Leaves.  Unfortunately they too  have moved farther down the Mountain before heading my direction and are now below me on the Floral Trail.  I slowly slip down the stairs of the rest hut and over to the Floral Trail.  Moving stopping, moving stopping trying to keep rhythm with the Deer I tip toe along the trail.  From behind a Tree I try to focus my lens between the spring growth standing between myself and the lovely Deer.  I am somewhat successful.

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS: I am thankful and blessed to have my new camera and lens, they have revealed the fantastic colors and patterns of the tiniest Moths.  I hope to see many more of these winged beauties this spring and summer… and share them with you 🙂