Autumn trails

All posts tagged Autumn trails

Autumn Leaves Give A Second Curtain Call

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 21, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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A cluster of storms are currently sitting over Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.  As I sit at my desk  typing this blog rain is pouring down through dense dark low clouds, aka fog. Flood warnings are in place with a long term forecast going through Tuesday night.

My husband Rick and I dashed out for a hike the other day during a break in the storms.  Beautiful rainbow clouds reappeared as we headed into the Forest on West Mountain, a perfect start to our adventure.  They are always a awesome spectacle and I never tire of the view. As we hike up the Canyon Trail the clouds begin to get darker and I wonder if it might rain.   In the low light the last of the autumn Leaves glow in lovely shades yellow red and orange.  Each time I think a storm has taken all the glorious fall colors from the Trees the forest surprises me with another vibrant show of color.

Dark skies continue as we make our way across West Mountain,then back to the city.  At each view point between the Trees the city is framed by blue gray skies. As we hike back down the Canyon Trail a young crow is calling out to it’s family.  It’s cries/caws are a sad song, fortunately a few minutes later we hear a adult Crow answering back.

It was a wonderful break in the Forest…

Much Love to ALL!
Lee

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Colorful Autumn Leaves Fall Revealing Beautiful Birds

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 11, 2011
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It is a brilliant clear autumn morning as I head up Hot Springs Mountain.  Although many of the Trees have lost their foliage a few spectacular red leaves are hanging on. As I stop to enjoy the view of West Mountain there is a noise in the dried leaves below me. I turn to see a tiny White Throated Sparrow foraging for it’s breakfast.  The first I have seen since early last spring.

The sun rises slowly as I head up the Dead Chief Trail on my hike up the Mountain. Glorious yellow leaves twinkle like golden drops of sunlight as a strong cold breeze pushes against my body.  Hidden in the golden canopy above me is a lone Male Cardinal singing to the morning light. Further up the trail I am delighted to see two beautiful Yellow False Foxglove Wildflowers blooming on the side of the Trail.

As I am staring up at the beautiful foliage I catch a fluttering out of the corner of my eye.  On a log to my side a tiny Carolina Wren is watch me as I am gazing up into the Forest canopy.  Autumn Leaves float down on me as I hike up the Short Cut Trail.  The colorful confetti looks spectacular raining down across the brilliant blue sky. I stop to enjoy the display, my face tipped up warmed by the sun as I am decorated in leaves of red, orange and  yellow.  I have a wonderful child like feeling with each step of my hike as I shuffle, kick and crunch on the leaf covered trail.  I wish there was someone with which to have a leaf pile fight.

Continuing along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I see many of the Trees are already wearing their bare winter shapes.  In the distance a small Tree stands alone red leaves vibrantly on display.  Small and sassy it makes me smile as I photograph the beauty of it’s leaves.

As I near the rest hut on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail a chorus of bird song fills the air. High in the Trees a mixed flock of tiny birds are moving through the Forest.  They are darting about so quickly and I am unsure which direction to look. I am barely able to spot an Orange-Crowned Warbler and a Tufted Titmouse as they land and fly off in what seems the blink of an eye.

A familiar loud voice echos above me and I scan the Tree tops for a favorite sight.  Usually big bold and easy to locate, I am happy when I finally see an unexpectedly small juvenile Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Joy fills my hearts as they are my faithful winter friends often traveling with me as I hike through the Forest even on the coldest days.

It was a wonderful hike through the autumn Forest, thank you for visiting with me.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Colorful Autumn Leaves Create Fireworks, Tapestries and Mosaics in the Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 5, 2011
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Sunlight peeks in and out of the clouds as I begin my hike on West Mountain in Hot Springs National Park.  Each burst of sunlight reveals a gorgeous display of red, orange, yellow and green leaves.  As I look up into the canopy it is as if I am witnessing a glorious private fireworks display.  I spread out my jacket and lay on the ground to savor the show.   The trail is lined with a tapestry of vibrant colors woven of leaves and branches.  Further ahead leaves of various colors sparkle in the light creating intricate patterns as if part of a flowing mosaic. As I move along the park trails I am bathed in color changes from gold to rust to pink in a rainbow of ever changing light.  I feel as if my Soul has been painted with the colors of the autumn Forest.

Love to ALL!
Lee

A Spring Beauty in the Gloom of Autumn Gray

Posted by Lee Hiller on December 11, 2010
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Field Notes:
This morning was gray and gloomy, the worst possible light for photography… but perfect for a hike.  Okay, yes I think everyday is the perfect day for a hike.  It was a good day to work with my new camera equipment weather protection by LensCoat, think neoprene wet suit for your cameras and lenses.  I realize I will need to make a few minor modifications to the camera covers so I can shoot with the speed I prefer.  I am making all my winter preparations, even got a new pair of Kako Snow/ice traction devices for my boots.

When I reach the Dead Chief Trail I decide to go around the base Hot Springs Mountain.  The gray gloom makes photographing the tiny shadowy birds impossible.  I am blessed to hear the beautiful songs echoing through the Forest as I hike. Nearly all the leaves have fallen and it feels as if winter has came early to the park.  Ahead and to my right I see what I believe to be a bright candy wrapper.  When I reach the violet object I am amazed to see it is in fact a wildflower, a spring wildflower.  In the gloom of a dark Autumn Morning an unexpected gem glows along the trail side. Spring has arrived within the late Autumn Forest. Small and delicate Bird-Foot Violets are blooming. Tiny ghosts of seasons past. Petals spread like wings as if to take flight from the Forest floor.  I had always thought the one I spotted on the Goat Rock Trail February 06 2009 just before the snow and ice winter storms was early.  Nature always presents me with the most glorious bouquets.

On the Upper Dogwood I meet two wonderful Nature Lovers, Pamela and Al.  They are a lovely couple who live a green lifestyle caring for our delicate planet earth.  I am thankful they took the time to stop and speak with me today in the park.

Get out in Nature you never know what surprises are waiting for you :o)
Love,
Lee

Happy Anniversary! 1 year of Hiking in Hot Springs National Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 10, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

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Today marked one year of hiking in Hot Springs National Park, 219s post and 7,572 photographs later and I am just getting started.  Please read November 10th 2009 to relive the pain of my first hike.  Today I strapped on my hiking boots and headed up the Peak Trail to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.  I was carrying my new Sony Alpha 55 (NO they are not paying me to mention theor camera) and was blessed to see many beautiful creatures on my journey up the mountain.  Glorious golden Autumn Leaves filled the Forest trail, for a wonderful morning hike.

The Hot Springs Mountain Tower view wa spectacular, I passed it many times each week but I had not gone up to see the view for an entire year.  I will post a video of the view and elevator ride this weekend on my Lee Hiller YouTube Channel.  On that first hike up I barely made it up and back down, I was a mess.  Today after leaving the tower I hiked around the mountain and then back home.  The Sparrows, Cardinals too had another spa day and the sweet Chipmunks and Squirrels came out to play.  The falling Leaves revealed a tiny Orange-Crowned warbler and a Carolina Chickadee along the Trail.  There was rain, dark clouds and sunshine a perfect day for an anniversary hike in the park. I hope you will enjoy the 94 images I posted today.

Thank You all for hiking with me, chatting on Twitter and following my Hike Our Planet fb Page.
Love to You ALL!
Lee