Between The Pines – A Gateway to Serenity
There are places on trails which hold an ancient magic. Gateways to places and ideas seen only with an open heart. As you step between these pines you enter a universe of discovery.
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Happy Trails
Love to ALL!
Lee
Spring is the beginning of wildflower hunting season. To all my fellow wanderers (and those longing to wander) breath in the new green and enjoy Nature’s spectacular pallet of tiny blossoms.
Love to ALL!
Lee
Most of my photography of chipmunks involve foraging and emerging from burrows. Gathering acorns or munching on seeds I have marveled at their beauty.
I was enjoying at all the lovely spring birds in the new spring canopy when I noticed my husband had stopped up the trail. He was looking down, standing still and taking photos. I moved slowly up the trail to his side and he pointed out a chipmunk on a downed limb. It was sniffing the log and then picked up what I though was a nut. It wasn’t until I began editing my photos the truth was revealed.
The nut was actually a snail. I had capture the chipmunk breaking the shell and sucking out its inhabitant. Research revealed ” Most of the eastern chipmunk’s diet is made up of nuts, acorns, seeds, mushrooms, fruits, berries and corn. It also eats insects, bird eggs, snails and small mammals like young mice.” http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/chipmunk.htm The sweet little forest dweller was a actually a capable predator. I went back through 9 years of chipmunk photos and discovered these were the first
Love to ALL!
Lee
I wish you could all see the Forest in person. My photography never seems to do it justice when it is in a constant flow of transition. The tree tapestry of Redbud blossoms layered with a sprinkling of confetti made up of new leaves and seeds is mesmerizing during the magic hour. Wildflowers are display in variegated and subtle color variations. If you live in Arkansas please get out and hike so you can see this beauty in person. I think this is going to be a spectacular spring. Meaning I am going to have to dash out between rain/thunder storms to enjoy the spring show.
On a side note this week I discovered there are likely more deer in the park than I realize. My husband and I were hiking and he sat down on an old stone bench. My eyes were drawn past him and I tried to focus on what was unusual about the trees. Once I adjusted my sight the face of a deer appeared among the branches 12 feet away. Then I was also able to see another adult and two youngsters a further in the trees. I did not move afraid even to raise my camera and startle them. A bit later as they moved off I took my photos. They did not move far away and were curious about us as we moved along the trail in the early morning light. Now I know that feeling of never being alone in the Forest is likely true.
Love to ALL!
Lee
Spring always feels like a homecoming of old friends. Trees are awakening and new leaves are reaching toward the sun. Streams fill with runoff from heavy rains. Tiny wildflowers are pushing up in grass and aging autumn leaves. Songbirds and small mammals are appearing with greater frequency as sunlight warms the earth. Although tomorrow will be the first official day of spring I know it arrived in Hot Springs National Park several weeks ago.
Love to ALL!
Lee
