Hot Springs Mountain Observation Tower
Normally I don’t start my blog with a video but this summer has been a time of extremes in Hot Springs National Park. The evening of August 11 2011 the view of Hot Springs Mountain vanished and was replaced by the scene in the video above. What the weather services reported as possible scattered thunder storms became straight line winds/eddy with continuous lightning. No weather alert was given during the entire three plus hours the storm raged. It must have been invisible on the Doppler Radar. The Storm brought down Trees, sheared off branches and drove a branch into the hot water cascade embedding it into rocks.
The park was battered and much of the once abundant wildlife in the Western slopes of Hot Springs Mountain have vanished. Trees that were once home to many Forest friends died or suffered amputations of their limbs. The first morning Rick and I ventured into the park we saw only Northern Mockingbirds (an adult (Pink) plus one chick), two House Finches and several insects. The next day I saw a solo Squirrel (Bob). Day three we saw a family of Robins, another Squirrel and several House Sparrows.
No sightings of the multi-generation families of Brown Thrashers, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Cardinals and Northern Mockingbirds. No sign of the other 14+ squirrels, 8+ Chipmunks or the Eastern Cottontail pair I have documented on the lower western slopes of Hot Springs Mountain. I hope to provide survivor updates over the next few weeks.
Life is Fragile… Nature is both beautiful and destructive…
Much Love,
Lee
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- HSNP Arlington Lawn House Finches
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- HSNP Arlington Lawn House Sparrows
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- HSNP Arlington Lawn House Sparrows
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- HSNP Arlington Lawn House Sparrows
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- HSNP Fountain Street Lawn Rain Drops
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- HSNP Fountain Street Lawn Rain Drops
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- HSNP Peak Trail Downed branch
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- HSNP Peak Trail Downed Tree
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- HSNP Peak Trail Downed Tree
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- HSNP Peak Trail Downed Tree
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- HSNP Peak Trail Downed Tree
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- HSNP Peak Trail Squirrel
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- HSNP Peak Trail Squirrel
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- HSNP Peak Trail Squirrel
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- HSNP Peak Trail Squirrel
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- HSNP Promenade American Robin
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- HSNP Promenade American Robin
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- HSNP Promenade Broken Tree
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- HSNP Promenade Downed Tree
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- HSNP Promenade Downed Tree
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- HSNP Promenade Downed Tree
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- HSNP Promenade Downed Tree
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- HSNP Promenade Downed Tree Bench
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- HSNP Promenade Downed Tree Bench
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- HSNP Promenade Dried Leaves
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- HSNP Promenade Exposed Tree Root
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- HSNP Promenade Mystery Insect
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- HSNP Promenade Northern Mockingbrid
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- HSNP Promenade Northern Mockingbrid (Pink)
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- HSNP Promenade Northern Mockingbrid (Pink)
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- HSNP Promenade Northern Mockingbrid (Pink)
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- HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Branch in Hot Water Cascade
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- HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Dayflower
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- HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Dayflower
Hike Our Planet - @HikeOurPlanet 
That was a gorgeous light show but sadly the storm did a lot of damage and misplaced and or killed a lot of families. The 1st 2 days we saw no living things; yesterday a few were coming back (or out of hiding) which is a good sign. These storms have double edged swords. The forest is scorched and animals are suffering and plants dying; that rain was so needed, but it came fast and furious and did damage of its own. Hopefully all will recover soon. It was great to get back out on a high mountain hike after 2 months of physical therapy from an injury. TY baby for having me come along. Beautiful pics. Love ur DH Rick PS To other viewers, I only was awake for a few hours of that storm; I fell asleep and snored through most of it.