Juvenile Squirrel

All posts tagged Juvenile Squirrel

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

Blue Skies, Autumn Leaves, Berries, Birds and a Squirrel in the Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 29, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Finally a glorious sunny morning greets me as I enter Hot Springs National Park.  For the past week the skies have a been covered in a seemingly never ending band of dark gray clouds each morning.  Now the sunlight illuminates autumn Leaves as I enter the park and they look like beautiful glowing strings of lights.  Above me a juvenile Squirrel is practicing it’s balance and forage skills I head up Hot Springs Mountain.  I carry this joyous sight with me during my hike up and around the mountain.

Decorating the trail edges are lovely autumn Berries and glowing autumn Leaves. At the top of Hot Springs Mountain small Tufted Titmice are flying among vibrant leaves of red, orange, yellow and green.  They are busy feasting to prepare for the colder temperatures that have arrived early this year.

As I am reveling in the beauty of the changing Forest it is not long before I reach the Honeysuckle Trail.  I always Love stopping by Rick’s and my wedding Chapel, it is a blessing to remember the glorious day of our marriage.

Nearing home I spot a container lid in the park that has gathered rain water.  House Sparrows are happily splashing in the makeshift bath glittering in the sunlight.  As they fly back into a nearby Magnolia Tree I spot one of their nests.  Now I understand why they are so difficult to spot among the Leaves.  The nests are woven into a bowl that blends into the branches. A perfect place to hide from my lens 🙂

Love to ALL!
Lee

A New Alpha 55 Perspective on Nature

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 9, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I have a new camera, a Sony Alpha 55 with a G Series 70-400mm Lens.  Not as portable a unit as I am used to with a compact point and shoot.  The lens alone is about 4lbs., add the camera body and it is going to be an arm strengthener.  Today was about what can I see and how far away or how close can I capture my subject.    I am  using two straps over my shoulder to balance the weight.  .  This is a set up usually used with a tripod but I NEVER have time to set one up to capture the wildlife in the park.  I am learning to be my own tripod, a new kind weightlifting aerobic workout on the trails. I am eye shooter so I adore the magnified view finder and the horizon level with multi-point  focus points. Oh and I just got a cool new app for my cell phone that tracks my hiking with GPS distance and elevation is mapped out so I see where  and how far I have been hiking each day. Oh did I mention the Sony Alpha 55 has GPS as well so I know where each photography was taken, LOL as if I could ever forget!

Rather than recount my hike which was more about how to carry and make the large lens and tulip hood seem portable.  It is best to let my first attempts with this camera/ lens combination stand on their own. I hope you will enjoy the 84 photographs.

Love of Nature has healed me, the park has been my health care provider and church for the past year.
Love,
Lee

PS: Tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of hiking in and blogging about Hot Springs National Park.