In the Forest you are never alone… someone is always watching. I was taking photos along the trail when suddenly there was a herd of Whitetail Deer crossing up ahead. What I did not realize at the time was that a large Buck was staring at me from deep in the trees. I was surprised to see him when I began editing photographs after my hike. Below you will see how deer move through the forest often unseen though close. It was a busy morning. Usually I see small groups (4-5 including females with offspring) roaming the park, but today the herd count was 15.
When I hike one my favorite views is from Hot Springs Mountain is across the Zig Zag Mountains to the Ouachitas. It is spectacular because of National Forests and the big pines that populate that space. The view was something I took for granted and now realize how easily it could be taken away. How quickly flora and fauna could vanish without the land bridges created by our public lands. Please take a moment to view my blog above.
This was both an healing and thoughtful hike in the rising sun.
Love to ALL!
Lee
In the middle of the night Congress decided too set in motion a plan to devalue OUR public lands. Why? So they can more easily sell them and make it appear that it was a profit for the Federal Government. They made this a first priority and it is my opinion they will move quickly to sell these properties.
Demand Congress stop the ‘fire sale’ of ALL OUR public lands including but not limited to National Forests, Wildlife Refuges, BLM properties. These lands belong to the tax payers not a single political party. Do not let them loot our birthright and sell them for logging, strip mining, oil drilling and/or to foreign companies/governments.
Our public lands create bridges for migration of multiple species which keep the ecosystem healthy for a wide variety of outdoor activities. The land is also part of a natural underground series of aquifers which produce fresh water for our survival.
Call your House Rep and 2 Senators EVERY Monday (202) 225-3121 takes about 3 min., so get family and friends to participate too! Yes YOU >> Hiker, Climber, Birder, Hunter, Fisherman, Nature Photographer and Environmentalist this is something on which we can all agree.
Once sold, OUR public lands will be forever lost in the needless sale to line the pockets of our politicians who voted for this action.
Lake Ouachita State Park Mist on the Lake view of National Forest
HSNP Male Summer Tanager
Dances with Light on the Trails – Monarch Butterfly
The weather has been erratic the past month and the weather service has been less tan stellar in its predictions. One moment the light is perfect, you find some lovely early blooming wildflowers and then darkness begins to creep into your shots. Another minute passes and you realize it is time to get off the mountain. Black clouds begin to cover the once luminous morning sky. Then in the distance a rumble to let you know hiking should become more like a jog to get below the tree line and home.
Happy New Year!
Sunset reveals the beauty of the winter Tree silhouettes. Sleeping leaves long since fallen the Forest sentinels create a twisted landscape of flowing shapes.