Asiatic Dayflower

All posts tagged Asiatic Dayflower

Rise in Arkansas Temperatures Produces Spring Wildflowers in December

Posted by Lee Hiller on December 4, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Anyone who has followed my blog knows I adore Wildflowers.  The arrival of spring means I am on the hunt for the colorful beauties that poke up from the Forest floor.  Imagine my surprise when I found a lovely assortment of spring Wildflowers on Dec 03 2012 at the end of Autumn.  This got me thinking about the warmth of the morning as I was taking my photographs.  I realized I was wearing my spring hiking clothing and I was not cold.  According to the Arkansas tourism site the average December temperatures should be: http://www.arkansas.com/travel-tools/weather-in-arkansas/

December

  • average maximum temperature 52.4
  • average minimum temperature 35.2

At 9:30 am when I headed out to hike it was already 62 degrees heading toward a daytime high of 69.  The week of Thanksgiving we had temperatures bordering on 80.  The overnight temperatures the past 4 weeks have hovered been 58-62. It appears the Wildflowers are correct… It does feel like spring.

April

  • average maximum temperature 72.5
  • average minimum temperature 52.6

This year  spring temperatures arrived in late January and summer heat arrived in late April.  Global warming has arrived in Hot Springs National Park and it is changing the Forest.  Soon we will know which Trees survived the severe 2012 drought.

Love to ALL!
Lee

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Beautiful Juvenile Birds Along the Trails

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 12, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Nature wraps me in her gentle embrace as she sings to the first light. ~ Lee Hiller

We have experienced several days that included beautiful life giving rain showers.  Sadly this interlude of moisture did not arrive in time to save many beloved Trees in the Forest.  Joyously I can report the rain has brought out many lovely juvenile Birds and wildflowers.  I was also blessed to see my dear friend Bob a female Squirrel this morning as I headed into the Mountains.

Beautiful blue Asiatic Dayflowers are blooming again on the Carriage Road. It was wonderful to see a juvenile Cardinal, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren and Mourning Dove.  Even Lichen had enough moisture to begin painting the Rocks again.

The rain was a glorious gift this week, the Forest felt alive after so many months of drought. It was a perfect morning in the Forest.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Lovely Rainbow Sunrise, Squirrels and Spring Trails

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 30, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

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Within the stillness of the dawn the Forest speaks softly of the new day. ~ Lee Hiller London

A beautiful spring morning in the park unfolds as I look skyward to see a rainbow painting the shimmering clouds above the rising sun.  The trails are peaceful in the early light, a gentle breeze provides relief from the humidity and climbing temperature.  Lovely Squirrels are foraging throughout the park for breakfast. Tufted Titmice (or is that Titmouses) are abundant and their song echoes softly on the trails.  I have had a wonderful morning hike…

Field Notes: For the first time in the three years I have been hiking in Hot Springs National Park I witnesses squirrels searching for liquid via human sources. First a Squirrel hopped past me carrying a lid with a red straw, it sat down and feverishly started licking trying to get all the liquid.  As I was observing the first Squirrel with the straw another Squirrel strolled past with a cup.  The straw, lid and cup appeared to have at one time contained a coffee beverage. Above me another Squirrel comes down a Tree to watch, we glance at each other then continued to stare.

Now the serious stuff… when you visit Hot Springs National Park PLEASE use the garbage receptacles! They are specially designed to keep curious wildlife from obtaining human food and garbage.  These are not cartoons Squirrels as depicted in “Over the Hedge” and “Hoodwinked“.  In the wild a squirrel plus caffeine could be fatal not funny. Thank You!

Much Love to ALL!
Lee

Wildlife, Wildflowers and Magnolias in a Lovely Spring Morning

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 23, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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I Love heading into the Forest before the sun has crested Hot Springs Mountain.  It is a world of shadow and half light where Nature is waking from her slumber.  I knew it was going to be a perfect morning when I immediately spot an old friend, Bob the Squirrel.  I call her Bob because sometime before we met 3 years ago a portion of her tail had been removed (bobbed).  Her survival skills and parenting have always made her a welcome site.

As I head up the mountain I find 2 clusters of Daisy Fleabane waving in the cool breeze. On the Carriage Road I have the feeling I am not alone.  Looking up I expect to see a bird, but it is instead a lovely Squirrel hanging upside down watching me.  By the steps heading up the Dead Chief Trail a single blue Asiatic Dayflower glows by a steam vent.

The soft glow of Yellow Sunflowers dot the trail edges as the sun lightly illuminates the way forward. Two purple Asters are peeking out from sparse greenery.  The Short Cut Trail is slowly awakening as light begins to caress the canopy. At the top of the Mountain I am taken by the gentle rustling of the Leaves, a soft morning melody. It is a peaceful hike around the eastern side of Hot Springs Mountain, I had forgotten how beautiful the trail is in the first light.

When I reach the north side the sun is beginning to reach over and bird song leads me to a tiny Carolina Chickadee. An adult and juvenile Blue Jay are supervising flight training of a lovely little fledgling.  It is beautiful watching them diving in and out of the Pine Trees calling to one and other.  While I am enjoying the show my camera battery goes dead so I change it out.  As I snap in the battery I glance to my side and see a glowing shape on the trail ahead of me.  Standing illuminated in a single patch of bright light it take me moment to realize it is a Deer.  A lovely Doe has been watching me and after several seconds she gracefully trots off into the Forest.

I head home down the Floral Trail and take another tour past the lovely Magnolia… it has been a beautiful morning in the Forest.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Wings and Wildflowers Under the Spring Canopy

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 10, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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As beauty unfurls beneath the Spring canopy as I am wrapped in Nature’s embrace.  Blue wings of Asiatic Dayflowers spread out before my feet and the radiant glow of Lance Leaf Coreopsis light the path before me.  A male Summer Tanager sings above in feathers transitioning from green to red.  Warming in the the morning sun Mourning Cloak and Red Spotted Purple Butterflies stretching their wings along the trail edges.  Gently the Forest coaxes my senses and I am once more at peace.

Love to ALL!
Lee