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As I stepped out my front door the early light  illuminated the flowers creating a sunrise spring bouquet… Nature weaves her magic everywhere.

This year spring arrived early in Hot Springs National Park.  The leaves were fully unfurled 6 days after the official 1st day of Spring creating a spectacular green canopy in late March.  Prominent Wildflowers from the past two years appeared in smaller numbers and vanished quickly this spring.  The combination of lovely green and warmer temperatures stunted the growth of some wildflowers or caused their quick demise.  The good news is I am seeing lovely shade dwellers like the Partridge Berry, Horsemint and Pink Fire in greater numbers.  Nature is always an amazing teacher… I do miss the Jewelweed which was abundant last year.

A landslide closed part of the Oak Trail and I had to backtrack to head up West Mountain on the Canyon Trail.   This turned out to be a wonderful change of plans.  As I headed higher up the trail I had a feeling I was not hiking alone.  I turned back and looked down the trail to see a lovely Doe watching me.  I took a few photographs and she put her dead down to graze apparently deciding I was not a threat.  Further up the trail I heard a rustling in the leaves, looking up I discovered she was moving parallel below me.  She was peeking at me through the brush to see what I was doing in her Forest.  Maybe I will end up in her version of the park news 🙂

The lovely morning continued with the sighting of a Brown Thrasher capturing it’s breakfast and discovering new wildflowers to add to my photography collection.  It was wonderful to see a flurry of  airborne Butterflies,tiny busy Prairie Lizards and a sweet Male Box Turtle.  Trails covered in a canopy flickering green provided a peaceful hike across West and Music Mountains.

Thank You for reading my blog and traveling with me in the Forest.
Love to ALL!
Lee