As we move through the spring Forest we see the obvious new greenery and colorful wildflowers. Beautiful butterflies soar above us on gentle spring breezes landing only to feed on the pollen dusting the Forest canopy and rock ledges. The bounty of beauty also provides a feast for the birds migrating throughout the park. A moveable feast that will provide nutrition to mating pairs and their soon to emerge offspring. They boldly display to my lens grubs, caterpillars and a variety of winged insects dangled proudly from clenched beaks. The park birds are beautiful winged hunters searching for their next tasty meal.
My first thought each year when the Southern Magnolias bloom is “Popcorn”. The beautiful creamy white blossoms on the evergreen foliage are always a dramatic display seeming to pop out from the leaves. From the beautiful egg shape buds to the curling green tendrils in the heart of each Magnolia it is Nature’s cultural celebration. As a Northern by birth I must confess that I have succumbed to the fragrance and delicately transforming Southern Magnolia blooms. Their arrival each each year is a graceful nod to spring flowing toward summer.
Love to ALL!
Lee
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Blooming
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Blooming
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Blooming
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Blossom
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Blossom
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Blossom
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Bud
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Bumble Bee
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Bumble Bee
Hot Springs National Park 2012 First Magnolias Bumble Bee
As I stepped out my front door the early light illuminated the flowers creating a sunrise spring bouquet… Nature weaves her magic everywhere.
This year spring arrived early in Hot Springs National Park. The leaves were fully unfurled 6 days after the official 1st day of Spring creating a spectacular green canopy in late March. Prominent Wildflowers from the past two years appeared in smaller numbers and vanished quickly this spring. The combination of lovely green and warmer temperatures stunted the growth of some wildflowers or caused their quick demise. The good news is I am seeing lovely shade dwellers like the Partridge Berry, Horsemint and Pink Fire in greater numbers. Nature is always an amazing teacher… I do miss the Jewelweed which was abundant last year.
A landslide closed part of the Oak Trail and I had to backtrack to head up West Mountain on the Canyon Trail. This turned out to be a wonderful change of plans. As I headed higher up the trail I had a feeling I was not hiking alone. I turned back and looked down the trail to see a lovely Doe watching me. I took a few photographs and she put her dead down to graze apparently deciding I was not a threat. Further up the trail I heard a rustling in the leaves, looking up I discovered she was moving parallel below me. She was peeking at me through the brush to see what I was doing in her Forest. Maybe I will end up in her version of the park news 🙂
The lovely morning continued with the sighting of a Brown Thrasher capturing it’s breakfast and discovering new wildflowers to add to my photography collection. It was wonderful to see a flurry of airborne Butterflies,tiny busy Prairie Lizards and a sweet Male Box Turtle. Trails covered in a canopy flickering green provided a peaceful hike across West and Music Mountains.
Thank You for reading my blog and traveling with me in the Forest.
Love to ALL!
Lee
Colorful Sunrise Spring Bouquet
Colorful Sunrise Spring Bouquet
Colorful Sunrise Spring Bouquet
Colorful Sunrise Spring Bouquet
Colorful Sunrise Spring Bouquet
HSNP West Mt Canyon Trail Heal All
HSNP West Mt Canyon Trail Phlox
HSNP West Mt Canyon Trail Purple Oxalis Clover
HSNP West Mt Trail Pink Fire
HSNP West Mt. Canyon Trail Early Afternoon
HSNP West Mt. Canyon Trail Early Morning
HSNP West Mt. Canyon Trail Partridge Berry
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Partridge Berry
HSNP West Mt. Canyon Trail Spring
HSNP West Mt. Oak Trail Partridge Berry
HSNP West Mt. Oak Trail Phlox
HSNP West Mt. Oak Trail Phlox
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Spring
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Spring
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Spring
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Whitetail Deer Doe
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Whitetail Deer Doe
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Whitetail Deer Doe
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Whitetail Deer Doe
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Whitetail Deer Doe
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Whitetail Deer Doe
HSNP West Mt.Canyon Trail Whitetail Deer Doe
HSNP West Mt.Sunset Trail Clearwing Hummingbird Moth
How did you spend your Earth Day this year? Yes, I would love to hear in the comments section below.
My husband and I hiked across Hot Springs and North Mountains in Host Springs National Park. Each breath that filled our lungs as we climbed higher on the trails was gift of oxygen provided by the surrounding Forest.
Earth Day is celebrated everyday in our home by:
recycling more,
driving less,
walking more often,
bringing reusable bags when we shop,
turning off the water while we brush our teeth,
eating vegan,
cooking less,
using metal water bottles and more.
Do we try to shrink our carbon footprint each year, yes! Do we always get it right… no! Baby Steps 🙂
Happy Earth Day Everyday!
Lee
PS: If you lost a lovely calico cat in Hot Springs Arkansas please see the photographs in this blog. She needs to be with her people not roaming the park. The pictures indicate she is likely new to being feral as her coat and eyes are not dull. She was last seen on the Rocks near the Hot Water Cascade above the Arlington Lawn.
HSNP Dead Chief Trail Question Mark Butterfly
HSNP Dead Chief Trail Question Mark Butterfly
HSNP Fountain St Lawn Myrtle Periwinkle
HSNP Fountain St Lawn Wild Strawberry
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Baby Female Prairie Lizard
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Baby Female Prairie Lizard
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Baby Female Prairie Lizard
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Baby Female Prairie Lizard
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Fungus
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue Wasp
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Goat’s Rue Wasp
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spring
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spring
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spring
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spring
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spring
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spring
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Spring
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Sundrops
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Sundrops
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Sundrops
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Sundrops
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Twist-Flowers
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Venus Looking-GLass
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Venus Looking-GLass
HSNP Goat Rock Trail View Indian Mountain
HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Cactus Valentine
HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Cedar Waxwing
HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Venus Looking-GLass
HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Venus Looking-GLass
HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Flowering Tree
HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Road Robin
HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Trail Fungi
HSNP Hot Springs Mountain Trail Fungi
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Hackberry Emperor Butterfly
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Hackberry Emperor Butterfly
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Potato Dandelion
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Potato Dandelion
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Red Admiral Butterfly
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
Cedar Glades Park in Arkansas offers a variety of activities and is a perfect destination for kids of all ages. If you enter from Wildcat Road the park is highly groomed for hiking, biking, rock climbing, Frisbee golf and more. (Wildcat Road Entrance Turbulent Skies and Butterflies in Cedar Glades Park Arkansas & First Hike in Cedar Glades Park Arkansas) Entering from Cedar Glades Road you find a less groomed Nature escape with playground, wheelchair accessible trail, hiking/biking trails, creeks, steams, ponds and a hike in camping sites. Both areas are joined by the 1.2 mile green trail loop with ample parking and rest rooms at each entrance.
My husband and I entered the park yesterday from the Cedar Glades Road entrance. We discovered the North Trail loop that linked us to our destination (the black trail) is wheelchair accessible. The beautiful trail is totally immersed in the Forest and provides mobility challenged visitors a lovely Nature experience. A perfect outing location for adults with smaller children in strollers as well.
The Black Trail Loop is the longest trail in the park and the most difficult for hikers, runners and cyclists. Depending on fitness level visitors can do the entire trail or use the red trail crooked bridge cut through to reduce the distance from 4.64 miles to 2 miles. This trail that has many water features, wildflowers, mixed and Pine Forest, plus it is great workout too. Speaking of water features, don’t miss my video below. The featured swimmer will give you an incentive to improve your pond swimming skills.
Another great feature of this park is the hike in camp site. This would perfect for campers who want to get away from RVs, trailers etc. and prefer a wooded steam setting without having to hike for several hours to reach their destination. This would make a great mini family vacation idea too. There is also an emergency shelter (wooden gazebo) in case of an unexpected storm. A lovely stream and open tent pitching among the Trees makes it a great weekend get-a-away or travel stop over. Best of all it is Free!
Love to ALL!
Lee
Cedar Glades Park Arkansas Trail Map
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Box Turtle
Glades Park Black Trail Butterfly
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Hike in Camp Sites
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Hike in Camp Sites
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond Cottonmouth
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond Cottonmouth
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Creek
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Creek
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Creek
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Phlox
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Venus Looking Glass
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Venus Looking Glass
Glades Park Black Trail Bright Pink Oxalis
Glades Park Black Trail Bright Pink Oxalis
Glades Park Black Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Honeysuckle
Glades Park Black Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly