Dried Leaves

All posts tagged Dried Leaves

I looked up to see…

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 23, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

When I reached the Carriage Road on Hot Springs Road I felt something hit my head.  Looking down I spotted a nut exposed within its husk.  Tiny little teeth marks artfully etched into the rough surfaces.  Suddenly pulp rained down on me followed by green husks.

I looked up to see beautiful little squirrels hanging, leaping and foraging in the leaves above.  A leafy disc shaped nest to my right seemed to be their home.  Mom must have turned them loose to find a breakfast feast.  It was glorious to see the energy and joy of new life in the Forest.  It was a blessing to bare witness to the the beauty of Nature’s children.  Their joyous abandon was a message to my Heart.

It was the perfect way to begin my wonderful hike across Hot Springs and North Mountains.  G-d opened my Soul to creation and guided me along my path as I moved through the Forest.  Never miss an opportunity to have an adventure 🙂

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS Please remember the drought is still raging… do not bring fire into the Forest.

Advertisement

Drought Strains the Forest in Hot Springs National Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 3, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

When Rick and I headed out the door yesterday day dark clouds swirled overhead.  I thought rain would be forthcoming, sadly I was wrong.  As I look out my window this morning the clouds remain, but still refrain from releasing rain.  The drought has reached dangerous levels we really need a good 24 hour down pour.

As we head into the park House Sparrows are playing in puddles created earlier by the park sprinkler system.  Desperate for water they huddle in small groups scooping up the water and splashing their feathers.  A Crow lands in a Tree above sending the juvenile Birds scattering. Further along a Female Cardinal is being pestered by a Juvenile House Sparrow.  She breaks free of the attention and pops up with a seed in her mouth.

Nestled in the Ivy and dried Leaves are glorious scarlet red Trumpet Creepers.  When I look into the bell of one of the Flowers the stamen looks like it sticking its tongue out at me.  Wildflowers are so rare this year that each one seems more spectacular than in previous years.

When we reach the junction of the Peak Trail and Carriage Road I am overwhelmed by the landscape.  It is Jul 02, but the Forest looks as if it is doing a September autumn change.  Rust leaves coat the trails and the trees are painted in a variety of yellowing colors.  I wonder if there will be many leaves left for the normally colorful fall foliage.  Our entire hike has scenes that mimic autumn.  Although beautiful the stress of the drought is slowly sucking the life from the once lush green Forest.

As we make our way home we are rewarded with the sight of lovely baby Squirrels.  Foraging and climbing Trees they are testing their survival skills in the toughest conditions. The wildlife that survives this drought will likely pass on a strong genetic code.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Heat and Drought Create Leaves of Change

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 29, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A morning song of Love resonates throughout the Forest reaching out to open Hearts. ~ Lee Hiller

Where there is water life is lush within Hot Springs National Park.  On the Tufa Terrace Trail near the Hot Water Cascade the Trees are a rich green and Wildflowers are blooming.  A Juvenile Cardinal sitting in a bush glances over its wing showing me the insect in its beak.  Lovely pink Crepe Myrtle blooms on the ends of cropped branches.

On the Carriage Road I stand before a Tree that has dropped its Leaves in a display reminiscent of Autumn.  The heat and drought conditions are sucking the life out of even the mightiest of Trees.  Near a steam vent a lovely patch of yellow Sneeze Weed stands alone in the dried straw color grass.  I stop to admire the beauty of the Quartz veins running through the dark Sandstone outcropping.  The contrasting bands of white glow in the early morning light.  Above the Rocks Heavenly Bamboo spills out of the Forest in a colorful rainbow of color.

As I hike up the Dead Chief Trail the sun begins to crest the ridge line piercing the gaps in the Forest Canopy.  The soft golden light gracefully illuminates the path ahead leading me to the top of Hot Springs Mountain.

Drying leaves are providing a colorful display as I hike down the Hot Springs Mountain Trail. The deep rust color has spread across the Forest floor and up into the Trees above me. Heading home on the Honeysuckle Trail I wonder how much longer we will wait until rain feeds the park.

Note to fellow hikers… Please remember there have been an increasing number of confirmed cases of rabies in the Hot Springs area (including the central city).  If you see a nocturnal animal moving about or trying to approach you during daylight hours report it to park officials.

Love to ALL!

Lee

Turtles on the Trail In the Toasted Summer Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on August 16, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For about Forty-Five days we have experienced temperatures exceeding 105 degrees in Hot Springs, Arkansas (usually mid to upper 80s by 6am). This morning I woke up and discovered it was only 68 degrees, I was out the door and hiking in an hour.

This morning I did not break into a sweat simply by stepping out the door, a delightful surprise. A lovely cool breeze caressed my face and the air had a sweet green aroma as I headed toward North Mountain. The sun still had not crested the tree tops when I spotted glorious pinkish orange Trumpet Creepers glowing in the early morning light. As I  photographed them a large Bumble Bee arrived to pollinate the large bell of each bloom.

Since a violent storm blasted through Hot Springs National Park three nights ago (will blog about this on another day) birds appear to have become silent. As I hiked up the Floral Trail the silence of the park was broken by someone playing a flute, it was odd hearing Scarborough Fair as I moved through the Forest.  A silent tiny Vireo peeked out from the leaves apparently as confused as I was by the flautist providing a Simon and Garfunkel serenade.

Climbing higher on North Mountain I spotted a colorful Male Box Turtle trying to navigate a climb of his own.  The unpredictable twigs and leaves made his journey up the bank a difficult maneuver. I stopped to marvel at his perseverance.  At the top of the Goat Rock Trail the unrelenting heat of the past month has toasted the leaves giving the Forest a false autumn appearance.  Green has given way to rust and gold, the path before me is coated with crunchy dried leaves.  With each breeze yellowing leaves spin free from the branches above and twirl falling silently to the ground. The Prickly Pear Cacti along the trail edges are shriveled and wrinkled unable to find shelter as the foliage has receded.

As I headed home another Box Turtle in crossing on a lower trail, her shell is chipped and battered.  She has lost some of her armor and exposed is a fragile white under layer. Both Turtles had white markings around there mouths and I wonder if it is caused by the extreme heat.  I watch to make sure she does not get stepped on as she completes her crossing of the trail.

Dance lightly upon this Earth, we need to protect it for those who do not have a voice.
Love to ALL!
Lee