daisy fleabane

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Forgotten Folder of Natures Spring Beauty

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 28, 2014
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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At some point May became a busy month and I lost sight of a folder of photographs.  May 4th 2014  was a beautiful spring morning and my beloved husband and I had a lovely hike in the Forest of Hot Springs National Park.  I saw my first Indigo Bunting and shot into the sun trying to capture even a hint of its beauty within the blinding rays.  A lovely Red Spotted Purple Butterfly land on a leaf above my shoulder and bathed in the early warmth of the sun.  Green enveloped my senses and I was sure each breath carried a taste of spring.  Daisy Fleabane danced in the breeze as a Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly drank nectar from cascading blossoms.  How could I have forgotten these photos?

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A Beautiful Mosaic of Spring Emerges From May Showers

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 27, 2014
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I relinquish the burden of the past to step lightly toward my future. ~ Lee Hiller

May showers arrive as waves of thunderstorms barreling out of Texas and Kansas into Arkansas.  After each passing storm the ground cover thickens and new Wildflowers appear as others multiple across the Forest floor.  A lovely Mourning Dove walks us down the trail as a Male Cardinal and Red-Eyed Vireo serenade. Each colorful Wildflower becomes a tile in an always changing Spring Mosaic.

Another line of thunderstorms are heading our way and I wonder what new life the rain will bring forth. Nature patiently teaches us the beauty of change.  Nothing can stay the same, nor would we want and unchanging landscape to greet us each day.  Her subtle shifts between each season soften our Hearts to the unpredictability of life.

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

Pink Fire lights up my hike on West Mountain

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 7, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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“When we think we have discovered the meaning of life it changes as the Universe smiles.” ~ Lee Hiller-London

To every season… my first year hiking I saw no Pink Fire blossoms, my second year one cluster and this year there are clusters everywhere.  They glow with radiant beauty along the edge of the darkening spring Forest. Each day Nature redecorates the trails so no matter how many times I hike it feels new. It is a blessing to see creation…

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS Special Thank You to my beloved husband Rick for hiking in the brutal humidity with me ❤

The Art Of Spring Painted With Wildflowers and Butterflies – Plus Arkansas Hiker Alerts

Posted by Lee Hiller on April 11, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Note: Another Great reason to hike in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas… You can hit the trails and relive Baseball spring training history following in the footsteps of Cy Young and Babe Ruth.

Like the beautiful blooms in the spring Forest I am luring you to my blog today with the nectar of Wildflowers and Butterflies.  As always I had a wonderful hike because I prepare before I head into the Forest. Information about weather or being sure to carry water plus a snack are done to ensure I have a safe and happy hike.

Spring is a glorious time to hike, but like any other activity there can be some dangers easily avoided to ensure you have a safe time.  In Arkansas we currently have two warnings due to the lack of cold winter temperatures.  I am sharing this information not frighten or dissuade you from hiking, instead it should be viewed as a travel advisory for hikers.  The warmer winter temperatures throughout the United States may mean the hiker alerts below are applicable in many states.

Hiker Alert: Hikers please be aware the very short winter has caused a rise in rabies cases in Arkansas.  Nocturnal creatures moving about in the daylight hours should be avoided and any strange activity reported.  http://www.4029tv.com/r/30858715/detail.html  In Arkansas there have been 54 confirmed rabies cases, just in the first four months of the year, compared to 60 total cases in 2011. Most have been skunks, bats and one cow. Report Rabies 1-501-262-2091

Hiker Alert: This is why I always recommend wearing boots when you are hiking… Flip Flops and sneakers are not enough protection! Snakes are back in Arkansas; tips for bite victims and more http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/205488/2/Snakes-are-back-in-Arkansas-tips-for-bite-victims-and-more

Love to ALL!
Lee