Hackberry Emperor Butterfly

All posts tagged Hackberry Emperor Butterfly

Beautiful Beings in the Early Autumn Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on October 4, 2016
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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Nature is waiting to guide you on a beautiful morning hike.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Dragonflies and Wildflowers in the Late Summer Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on August 30, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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The last of Hurricane Issac’s rain is set to arrive in Hot Springs in a few hours.  From our window I can see the Trees begin to perform their spiral swirl dance as the wind begins to pick up.  Knowing the storm was set to arrive on Thursday I headed into the parched Forests of Hot Springs National Park yesterday.  I was on the mountain by 8:15 and the cool 74 degrees felt like a luxury compared to the usual 89 the past two months.  Not having my lenses fog up from the humidity was an added plus too.

It was perfect morning for a late summer hike, even with monumental construction taking place at the entrance to the park.  The higher I climbed up Hot Springs Mountain the noise from below began to fade.  I ran into an old friend as I was photographing a beautiful array of blue Asiatic Dayflowers.   The colorful feral cat now has a collar and tags, one of which says “I am not lost”.  I am tempted to call the number on another tag as this beautiful baby should not be hunting in the park.  There are several creatures in the Forest that could easily hurt this lovely cat.

When I hiked up the Dead Chief and Short Cut Trails the only Wildflowers I saw were wilting Goldenrod spears.  Their bright yellow blossoms glowed softly on the trail edges.  As I reached the Hot Springs Mountain Trail a lovely Hackberry Emperor Butterfly landed on a stump.  It slowly pumped its wing warming in the first rays of the early sun.  Further along the trail I spotted Dragonflies, they darted rapidly illuminated by light from the flickering leaves. I was surprised to see they were not monochrome.  Their bodies were green with purplish blue tails and golden wings.

At the junction of the Honeysuckle and Floral Trails I made a wonderful discovery.  A single pinkish purple Oxalis is being bent by a subtle breeze.  A tiny exquisite gift in the parched Forest.

The now falling rain is a gift to the Forest in need of healing.

Much Love to ALL!
Lee

HSNP Floral Trail August 26th 2011 and August 29th 2012

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Some Sap Suckers Are Butterflies

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 28, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Some butterflies prefer sap and ripe fruit to nectar, these include the Hackberry Emperor and Question Mark.  Hot Springs National Park is suffering from a drought and the once abundant seasonal Wildflowers have not arrived.  The extreme weather conditions have left the sap eaters at an advantage. They do however compete with Ants as you can observe in the video below.  I suspect the Butterflies are feasting from the openings created by the hard working Ants.

Love to ALL!

Lee

Cycle Of Life and a Squirrel Heat Dump on a Twilight Hike

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 21, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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We brave the 90 degree temperatures for a twilight hike up then around Hot Springs Mountain.  As Rick and I head up the Peak Trail we encounter a juvenile Mourning Dove bobbing along in the the dimming light.  I decide it is best to back away when I realize it was not going to fly off.  The young ones are often much too trusting. It is always a blessing to see the beauty of new Life in the Forest.

From the mountain top we hike along the east side of the Hot Springs Mountain Trail.  It is a peaceful journey listening to the rustling leaves and the sound of waking nocturnal residents.  Hidden from sight Hawks and Owls began to call to the impending night.

On the Fountain Trail a lovely baby Squirrel ventures out under the watchful eye of Mom.  It is a joy to watch its delicate leaping, digging and foraging success. So beautiful standing to scan the horizon of it’s new world, we are spellbound by the sight of innocence.

Nearing home Rick spots a squirrel stretched out on it’s belly in the shade near a fountain on the Promenade bricks.  We creep closer in the fading light and at first it appears the unmoving Squirrel is injured. We learn later this behavior is called “Heat Dumping”, a method for reducing body temperature.  A minute later the male Squirrel spots a dog and springs into action.  Once on his feet he begins chasing his mating chase of a female who has been watching him from behind the fountain. A delightful way to end our evening hike.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Earth Day 2012 Hiking in Hot Springs National Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on April 23, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

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How did you spend your Earth Day this year? Yes, I would love to hear in the comments section below.

My husband and I hiked across Hot Springs and North Mountains in Host Springs National Park. Each breath that filled our lungs as we climbed higher on the trails was gift of oxygen provided by the surrounding Forest.

Earth Day is celebrated everyday in our home by:
recycling more,
driving less,
walking more often,
bringing reusable bags when we shop,
turning off the water while we brush our teeth,
eating vegan,
cooking less,
using metal water bottles and more.

Do we try to shrink our carbon footprint each year, yes! Do we always get it right… no!  Baby Steps  🙂

Happy Earth Day Everyday!
Lee

PS: If you lost a lovely calico cat in Hot Springs Arkansas please see the photographs in this blog.  She needs to be with her people not roaming the park.  The pictures indicate she is likely new to being feral as her coat and eyes are not dull.  She was last seen on the Rocks near the Hot Water Cascade above the Arlington Lawn.