Pond

All posts tagged Pond

Blogging U #photo101 – Architecture – Bridging the Gap on the Trail

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 23, 2015
Posted in: Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs National Park, Lake Catherine State Park, Lake Ouachita State Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

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When I am solo hiking there is always a feeling of joy in finding a bridge.  Wood, stone, chain, rope each reminds me of our human connection to Nature.  The excitement of traversing a ravine, gorge, stream, pond, lake, cliff side etc.  Alone it feels as if a fellow traveler has reached out to help you along the trail.  The echo of planks beneath your boots echos a message stating I am here.  Serenity in looking at a reflection of clouds drifting past or peering into the abyss below and wondering whether the ropes or chains will hold.  Lines and curves enticing us to cross over to new adventures.

A Beautiful Birthday at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 6, 2012
Posted in: Garvan Woodland Gardens. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

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Life is amazing, on the Fourth of July I kicked my age up a notch to 55 years of life on my favorite planet… Earth.  My wonderful husband Rick asked me what I wanted to do for my Birthday.  I chose a location that I had been sort of avoiding the past two years.  Now I wish I had visited sooner.  Garvan Woodland Gardens is unlike any other botanical garden I have visited… In a really good way.

It is nestled in the Forest on the edge of Lake Hamilton.  They did not clear cut the forest to put in a garden.  They created trails through the Forest and added gardens among the Trees.  It is a delightful mix of groomed and wild terrain.  So much more to explore and I cannot wait to return!!!!  The purple trail is calling out my name :o)

Note to the Peacocks:  I am flattered you were interested in my photography skills and took the time to observe me photographing the American Bullfrogs.  Later however you stalked my husband and me to the parking lot as we returned to my van.  The sexy rumbling noises and rubbing your tail along my legs seemed wholly inappropriate for a first date. 🙂

==>> Dearest readers if you recognize any of the unidentified plants I photographed I would greatly appreciate a comment on the photograph to let me know the name. <<==

Love to ALL!
Lee

Reptiles Rule in Hot Springs National Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 17, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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I decide to hike to a location in Hot Springs National Park that has a lower visitor count. It is my hope the Fordyce/Ricks Pond and the Sunset Trail will have an abundance of Wildflowers.  The heat this spring has sorely limited the number of Wildflowers blooming along the most accessible trails in the park.

Unexpectedly the only blooms I can locate around the pond turn out to be an alien invader… a domestic pink Tea Rose.  The pond is low and murky, the Striped Bass are barely visible even in the sunlight.  The shell to shell line of Turtles that usually line the exposed logs basking in the sun are scarce.  The usually abundant Dragonflies are not present either, the most hopeful sign is a swarm of gnats.

Further into the Forest on the Sunset Trail only tattered single Wildflowers appear on the trail edges.  The usually encompassing canopy has many gaps and it seems too bright in the early morning light. I miss being wrapped in the dark green of past late springs. Even broad Leaf evergreen Trees are dropping there leaves covering the trail as if it were Autumn.

As I photograph and stare wistfully at a Black-Eyed Susan I have the feeling I am being watched.  Slowly turning I see a sweet face peeking at me from the top of an old stump.   A tiny Five-Lined Skink is watching me,  after I take couple of photos he/she vanishes.  As I take a step forward past the stump I see the beautiful blue tail of my new friend.  It calmly stretches its full exposed body until we are eye to eye.  I am surprised it is not moving it’s bright blue tail to lure me from seeing the lovely striped face.

Another half mile along the trail, still no sign of birds or small mammals and only a distant huff of a deer.  Nearing the top of the ridge I spot a lovely turtle walking toward me.  She stops momentarily unsure of my presence, then pokes her head back out continuing past me to the edge of the trail.  Stopping to look back at me I am taken by the beauty of her markings and the lack of damage to her shell.  Living off the beaten path has offered her some protection.  The shells of most of the turtle on Hot Springs, North and West Mountains always seem to have damage including canine teeth punctures. This is becoming the year of reptiles in Hot Springs National Park.

I am concerned the extreme heat will add an extra layer of combustibility to the Forest.  If you are out in the park this spring/summer please don’t smoke.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Trails, Campsites, Wildflowers and Wildlife in Cedar Glades Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on April 20, 2012
Posted in: Cedar Glades Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Cedar Glades Park in Arkansas offers a variety of activities and is a perfect destination for kids of all ages.  If you enter from Wildcat Road the park is highly groomed for hiking, biking, rock climbing, Frisbee golf and more. (Wildcat Road Entrance Turbulent Skies and Butterflies in Cedar Glades Park Arkansas & First Hike in Cedar Glades Park Arkansas)  Entering from Cedar Glades Road you find a less groomed Nature escape with playground, wheelchair accessible trail, hiking/biking trails, creeks, steams, ponds and a hike in camping sites.  Both areas are joined by the 1.2 mile green trail loop with ample parking and rest rooms at each entrance.

My husband and I entered the park yesterday from the Cedar Glades Road entrance.  We discovered the North Trail loop that linked us to our destination (the black trail) is wheelchair accessible.  The beautiful trail is totally immersed in the Forest and provides mobility challenged visitors a lovely Nature experience.  A perfect outing location for adults with smaller children in strollers as well.

The Black Trail Loop is the longest trail in the park and the most difficult for hikers, runners and cyclists.  Depending on fitness level visitors can do the entire trail or use the red trail crooked bridge cut through to reduce the distance from 4.64 miles to 2 miles. This trail that has many water features, wildflowers, mixed and Pine Forest, plus it is great workout too.  Speaking of water features, don’t miss my video below.  The featured swimmer will give you an incentive to improve your pond swimming skills.

Another great feature of this park is the hike in camp site.  This would perfect for campers who want to get away from RVs, trailers etc. and prefer a wooded steam setting without having to hike for several hours to reach their destination. This would make a great mini family vacation idea too.  There is also an emergency shelter (wooden gazebo) in case of an unexpected storm.  A lovely stream and open tent pitching among the Trees makes it a great weekend get-a-away or travel stop over. Best of all it is Free!

Love to ALL!
Lee

Cedar Glades Park Arkansas Trail Map

Summer at the Fordyce Ricks Pond and Gulpha Creek

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 30, 2011
Posted in: Desoto Park, Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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My beloved Rick is off for the morning getting therapy for his ankles at the wonderful Levi Hospital.  He is much stronger and I am thankful for the expert medical care they provide.

I went to Ricks Pond in Hot Springs National Park expecting to see water fowl.  Sadly there were no ducks, swans or geese were in residence.  The Hawks, Herons and Kingfishers I saw in the winter months were nowhere in sight either.  Although the sunrise is spectacular and everything looks beautiful I felt a lonely in the silence.  The smooth surface of the water is broken by a fish seeking the many moving insects hovering above the pond.  I miss the Hawks and Kingfishers teasing me with their loud calls and staying just out of lens range.

As the sun crests the Pines a light mist is traveling through Tree tops and all is sill quiet.  With the sun at my back the still water of the pond reflects the beautiful summer greenery.  It is in stark contrast to the bare winter Trees this past winter.  New Trail, Ricks Pond, Colorful Fungi and Birds

I hike into the Forest along the sunset trail and in the distance a lovely song is filling the air.  Further along the path I see to tiny birds flitting between small Trees and Bushes.  They are a pair of young Red-Eyed Vireos, the first I had seen in the park.  Although I could hear rustling in the distance I was never able to see the source of the many cracking sounds paralleling my movements along the trail.

As I left the pond I decided to pay my respects at the wonderful Purple Heart Peace Memorial located in DeSoto Park.  The parks gardeners were replanting the Purple Heart shaped flowerbed, I will have to come back in a few days to see it’s beauty.  Sadly as I was leaving the park I noticed oil had been recently dumped into the Gulpha Creek

At the Gulpha Gorge Campground I noticed the creek is extremely low and several gravel islands have formed.  Taking into consideration the heavy rain the day before this was surprise.  A lovely Blue Jay lands in a Tree above me, unlike those found on the west side of Hot Springs Mountain this one has both aqua and royal blue feathers.  As I turned I noticed a Squirrel standing and observing my photographic endeavors.  A beautiful butterfly landed at my feet when I began to unlock my van, a perfect end to a beautiful summer morning.

Love to You ALL!
Lee