Moth

All posts tagged Moth

Summer Forest Shimmers with Light and Life

Posted by Lee Hiller on August 27, 2014
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“If we carry only what we need on our journey life will be light.” ~ Lee Hiller

Love to ALL!
Lee

May 2011 Hiking Highlights with My Husband Rick

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 3, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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May has been a busy month of hiking, designing and writing.  My beloved husband Rick also began hiking after a year marked by several health set backs. I am so proud of him and the courage he has shown in beginning a regular exercise routine, especially as we are heading into the humid months of summer.  You are a true survivor my wonderful husband!

Often I have extra photographs from our joint excursions into the Mountains and little time to write a complete blog each time.  I have decided to create a monthly blog featuring photographs from our joint hikes.  There have been wonderful sightings of lovely Squirrels, a shy Turtle, tiny Chipmunk, curious male Cardinal, a flock of Canada Geese and a bold Coopers Hawk.  We are blessed to have close (across the street) access to the beautiful spring trails of vibrant green decorated with spectacular Wildflowers and Fungi within Hot Springs National Park.

Much Love to Everyone!
Lee

Hiking with Squirrels and Butterflies on a Perfect Spring Morning

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 9, 2011
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As I enter Hot Springs National Park I notice a canvas tent pitched on the Arlington Lawn.  A nearby Squirrel having it’s breakfast in the early light seems unfazed by the new structure. We both look at each other and then head off in separate directions. As sign on the lawn indicates the tent is related to a Civil War history display. I head up a path leading from fountain street to the promenade and notice how beautiful the landscape looks in the early light . The nearly 100 year old Fountain Street Lawn stone wall gracefully curves toward the path leading to the Promenade.  I often wonder what happened in 1914 that caused so many man-made features to be added to park.

Nearing the end of the Tufa Terrace beautiful pink blossoms glow in the dim morning light.  A perfect Mothers Day Weekend bouquet of Wild Roses are growing along the path.  Although the sun is barely up their pollen is a temptation to a large Bumble Bee.  I stop for a moment to enjoy the simple beauty of these blooms.

At the bottom of the Peak Trail a Squirrels stands and watches me as I pass by on my way up Hot Springs Mountain.  A lovely brown Butterfly (or moth) flies past brushing my face and lands on the path ahead.  The Peak Trail wall looms above me as I reach the edge of the Forest.  The hike up Hot Springs Mountain is wonderful in the cool breezes and fanning of the new leaves.  As I near the top I see a sweet squirrel perched on a branch enjoying a tasty morsel. Lovely tiny white Alpine Bluets line the edges of the upper trail.

At the top I take the Hot Springs Mountain Trail, a beautiful blue gray Butterfly dances gracefully over bright green clover. I stop to close my eyes and enjoy the warmth of the Sun kisses my forehead through a gap in the Trees. I am surprised at the empty trails, usually on a perfect weather weekend there are many people hiking. Crossing over to the North Mountain side of the trail I can see many tiny pastel blue gray butterflies hovering above the last of the Blackberry Flowers. They delicately perch and turn on each blossom to find sustenance.

At the bottom of the Floral Trail a lively Carolina Wren peers out at me from beneath the leaves of a nearby Tree. While I am looking into the creek flowing at the bottom of the trail a wonderful American Snout Butterfly lands on the opposite bank. I think of reader Lara Buford who kindly often helps me identify the lovely Butterflies I post in my blog.

I decide finish up my hike by checking out Civil War Day in the National Park, something new for this northerner.  As I head down the Tufa Terrace ramp another event draws my attention… please read Park Wedding Reveals A Moment of Humanity.

Sadly there were only two reenactment displays in the park, I had hope to learn more about Hot Springs National Park during Civil War Era.  Special thanks to those who did bring a bit of history to the park.

As I leave the park I look up to see a couple of large white Southern Magnolia have fully opened.  They look so beautiful glowing in the last of the rising morning sun.

I Love hanging out with the Squirrels!!!!
Love to You ALL!
Lee

Beautiful Wildlife in the Spring Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on April 6, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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I had a beautiful hike in the Spring Forest yesterday morning and a second later that afternoon with my husband Rick.  I hope you will forgive the brief text today and enjoy the photographs that chronicle my morning hike.  As it is Wednesday I am trying to be light on the words and invoke a limited “Wordless Wednesday” for my blog.

The Spring Forest is both beautiful and for this photographer filled with obstacles.   Beauty is found in the birth of new Leaves, Birds building nests and the sprouting of colorful Wildflowers.  The slowly unfurling Leaves and newly sprouting vines create both a barrier that allows me to be somewhat hidden, but also hides that which I wish to see.  Along the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I hear below me the delicate crunching of leaves and I quickly duck behind a large Tree.  In the distance passing between the jumble of Leaves, Vines, Bushes and Trees I can see the shapes of Whitetail Deer moving slowly along what once was the road for carriages, although overgrown the outline of its flattened surface is still visible.  They are a perfect Deer trail as remnants of the old roads are hidden throughout the park.

My line of sight is obscured by the new spring growth, I decided to head quietly along the path and connect with the Honeysuckle Trail which is lower on the north side of the Mountain.  When I arrived at the Wedding Chapel, aka NPS rest hut I go inside hoping it will camouflage my presence. Barely five minutes have past when I hear the graceful crunching of the Deer as they moved toward me across the dead autumn Leaves.  Unfortunately they too  have moved farther down the Mountain before heading my direction and are now below me on the Floral Trail.  I slowly slip down the stairs of the rest hut and over to the Floral Trail.  Moving stopping, moving stopping trying to keep rhythm with the Deer I tip toe along the trail.  From behind a Tree I try to focus my lens between the spring growth standing between myself and the lovely Deer.  I am somewhat successful.

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS: I am thankful and blessed to have my new camera and lens, they have revealed the fantastic colors and patterns of the tiniest Moths.  I hope to see many more of these winged beauties this spring and summer… and share them with you 🙂

Winging My Way Through the Park and Twilight Snakes

Posted by Lee Hiller on September 21, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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All Images in this slide show are clickable below
as always we welcome your comments

I want to begin by thanking Twitter friends @avocadocreation @melisheath for identifying the Spotted Cucumber Beetle on the pink Peony.  At the Arlington Lawn Peonies are still blossoming as are several bushes.  These bushes are attracting a beautiful array of insects this morning it is lovely moths drinking the nectar of the white bell shaped flowers.

Leaving this late this morning I am quickly aware I have missed the morning breakfast run of my Forest friends.  From the Tufa Terrace up to the top of the mountain via the Peak Trail it is so quiet.  A gorgeous orange Moth is sunning itself on a lichen covered Tree. Further up the trail a beautiful Red Spotted Purple Butterfly sits on a leaf bath in the glow of a ray of sunlight.

Once I reach the top I pass several hiking groups on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail, the second wave of tourists mostly retirees.  People and Dogs equals  mammals in hiding along the Trail.  A lovely Tufted Titmouse sings a sweet song to me as I hike toward toward North Mountain. I glance up to see it peeking down from high in the Tree ahead of me.

When I reach the North Mountain I connect with the Upper Dogwood Trail.  It is a meditative hike, a chance to listen to my Soul as I move among the Trees.   When I reach the Upper and Lower Dogwood fork I see a spectacular sight on the last day of summer.  High in the canopy one Tree has changed into it’s Autumn splendor.  It’s a color is only the first of what will soon paint the Forest in Hot Springs National Park.

Down the Floral Trail, off North Mountain to Fountain Street to fill my water bottle with wonderful mineral water. I decide to stop by the Arlington Lawn on my way home to see what is feeding on the nectar of the flowering bushes.  A sweet sparrow looks down at me from a Magnolia Tree as I head across the lawn.  Across the park I can see a family of House Sparrows is enjoying a feast in the grass near a hedge.  It is wonderful to see the young birds taking flight and moving around the park.  A lovely Bumble Bee is feeding on the nectar of a near-by flowering bush pushing the smaller Moths out of its way.  Nature is always busy with life, it never fears change.

Get out and play!
Much Love,
Lee

PS on my Twilight hike with my beloved Husband Rick we saw sweet Ring-Neck Snake and this amazing Copperhead Snake…