This morning was beautiful so my husband Rick and I decided to head out early and enjoy the cooler morning temperature. As we neared North Mountain I spotted small dark blue Asiatic Dayflowers. I saw very deep blue bloom and discovered it had a third petal that was white with blue edges. A wonderful anomaly! After I finished taking my photographs I noticed a Tufted Titmouse watching me from a downed branch.
We headed up North Mountain on the Floral Trail as the sun began to rise above Hot Springs Mountain. In the early morning light I saw tiny yellow St. Andrews Cross blooming on the trails edges. Further across North Mountain on the Upper Dogwood Trail a tiny Chipmunk was hopping on rocks and branches looking for breakfast. As we turn to continue hiking my husband points out the purple berries of Callicarpa (American Beautyberry Gallon Plant) glistening in the early light.
Lovely teeny tiny white Flowering Spurge are glowing along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail. The delicate white flowers have a green center with yellow stamens and they are a welcome sight in the summer Forest. We stop and rest at our mountain wedding chapel on the Honeysuckle trail, it is always a place of joy. Near the bottom of the Floral Trail a pretty purple Butterfly Pea is in full bloom. As I am photographing it Rick points out a lovely little rock nestles in pine needles. A gentleman in a Hawaiian shirt passes us on the trail and we wonder if he is part of a new Jimmy Buffett hiking club (he passes us gain as we head home on Central Ave). It has been a lovely morning with my Beloved Husband Rick on the trails in Hot Springs National Park.
Time to play outdoors!
Love to ALL,
Lee
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- HSNP Central Avenue Parrot Head
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- HSNP Fountain Street Dying Damselfly
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Asiatic Dayflower
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Asiatic Dayflower
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Asiatic Dayflower
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Asiatic Dayflower
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Asiatic Dayflower
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Tufted Titmouse
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Trail Flowering Spurge
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Trail Flowering Spurge
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Trail Flowering Spurge
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mt Floral Trail Butterfly Pea
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mt Floral Trail Butterfly Pea
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- HSNP Hot Springs Mt Floral Trail Lovely Little Rock
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- HSNP North Mountain Floral Trail St Andrews Cross
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- HSNP North Mountain Floral Trail St Andrews Cross
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- HSNP North Mountain Floral Trail Summer
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- HSNP North Mt Hot Springs Mountain Trail Fungi
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- HSNP North Mt Lower Dogwood Trail Summer
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- HSNP North Mt Upper Dogwood Trail Callicarpa
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- HSNP North Mt Upper Dogwood Trail Callicarpa
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- HSNP North Mt Upper Dogwood Trail Callicarpa
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- HSNP North Mt Upper Dogwood Trail Chipmunk
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- HSNP North Mt Upper Dogwood Trail Chipmunk
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- HSNP North Mt Upper Dogwood Trail Chipmunk
Hike Our Planet - @HikeOurPlanet 
This was a perfect hike; loved being immersed in nature with my beloved wife. The animals were beautiful and the wildflowers; especially the deep blue Asiatic daylillies were an amazing start. I’m ready to go again. Beautiful photos, Baby. Love ur DH Rick x0x0x0
We have St. Andrew’s cross a little east of Austin, but I’ve rarely seen it. In contrast, the Callicarpa, or American beautyberry, is common, though it’s having a had time in the continuing drought. It’s good to see you promoting the smaller wildflowers.
Steve Schwartzman
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com
I adore the Forest details that make up the bigger picture :o) especially the wildflowers and their variety of sizes, shapes and colors.
Kindest Thoughts and Wishes,
Lee