HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Purple Spiderwort
It’s Spiderwort Season in Hot Springs National Park! Spiderwort bloom in a glorious pallet of transitioning color in the light and shade. A favorite is a rich velvety purple which creates a wonderful contrast to the yellow stamen.
Love to ALL!
HSNP North Mountain Loop Purple Spiderwort
This is my third Spring hiking in Hot Springs National Park and as in years past a glorious experience. Nature is unfurling in a colorful display of blossoms from the tops of Trees to the Forest floor. During our hike my husband Rick and I are looking up into the Trees at one moment and then down to the trail edges. Each branch has newly forming leaf buds or delicate blooms. Autumn Leaves on the Forest floor are splashed with color as Wildflowers push up into the sunlight. I feel as if the Forest is in that beautiful time between a deep sleep and being fully awake. A moment hovering between two worlds delicately balance on the edge of time. A nursery filled with new life waiting patiently to spread their Leaves, Petals and Wings in celebration of spring.
We move through the Forest taking care not to disturb the grace of the spring renewal.
Much Love to ALL!
Lee
Each of the Wildflowers in this three part 2011 series are in order of discovery Part 2 begins in April 2011
If you missed Part One Click Here
HSNP Tufa Terrace Trail Baby Blue Eyes
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Krigia Potato Dandelion
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Wild Hyacinth American Lady Butterfly
HSNP Floral Trail Pink Phlox
Hot Springs Mountain Trail Birds Foot Violet
HSNP Fordyce Estate Sunset Trail Purple Spiderwort
HSNP Peak Trail Alpine Bluets Spring Early Morning
HSNP Gulpha Gorge Trail Ouachita Blazing Star
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Twistflower
HSNP Goat Rock Trail Cone Flower
Hot Springs Mountain Road Cranesbill Geranium
HSNP Carriage Road Dandelions
Lake Catherine State Park Horseshoe Trail Venus Looking-Glass
Lake Catherine State Park Horseshoe Trail Goat’s Rue
Fountain Street Heal-All
More to come… to continue to Part Three Click Here
If you missed Part One Click Here
There is a string of thunder storms heading for your area, what would you do??? a) prepare for the storm or b) head out for a hike before they arrive. I head quickly into the park and up the Dead Chief and Short Cuts Trails to reach the top of Hot Springs Mountain. I am surprised how green the Forest has become in the past few days. The transformation is magical and I feel as if I am hiking on new trails.
The Hot Springs Mountain Trail edges are a colorful display. Perched above the trail on long stalks are purple, fuchsia and pink Spiderwort. Spectacular bouquets from Nature. Further up the trail a Black Swallowtail Butterfly sails over the last of the Spring beauty Wildflowers. The flash of aqua at the bottom of it’s wings is striking in contrast to black dominating the rest of the wings and body.
As the weather begins to change I decided to head directly down the Mountain. As I am leaving the park I noticed a field of Wildflowers is alive with beautiful spring insects. Both yellow and black Swallowtail Butterflies are flitting frantically from bloom to bloom. A Clearwing Hummingbird Moth is hovering within the stalks of fluted blossoms in competition with a Carpenter Bee. As I near the park gates an Eastern Comma Butterfly flashes its glorious orange wings against the bright green foliage.
Home safe I type this as the Thunder of Lightning is echoing through the Mountains of Hot Springs National Park.
Love to You ALL!
Lee
This blog is to encourage you to get out an play! Although it was a busy day I knew I needed to get out and breath in Nature. I did not leave the lower reaches of Hot Springs Mountain and kept to mostly groomed areas. During a 1 1/2 hour walk on paths and lawns I discovered so many beautiful sights and creatures. Tiny colorful Moths flitted between wildflowers and clover buds. Elusive Clearwing Hummingbird Moths appeared from inside Azaleas and perched on Periwinkle.
Sparrows searched grass for tasty spring Insects and hopped up to see what I was photographing. Northern Mockingbirds flew to close branches to share a sweet song. Caterpillars and Spiders took perilous journeys risking life and limb to cross brick and concrete paths frequented by humans.
The lawns I carefully traversed were filled with beautiful sights often missed when I had scanned the landscape as a whole. We don’t have to find remote places to enjoy the beauty of Nature, if we slow down. We ca stop to watch a colorful patch of flowers or clover and see the life it feeds and shelters. I hope you can take a moment to step outside and breath in Nature.
You can see answers from the Universe in even the smallest Sparrow’s eyes. ~ Lee Hiller
Love to All,
Lee
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