Tickseed Sunflower

All posts tagged Tickseed Sunflower

John Muir, a Lizard, Turtle and Wildflowers

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 13, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Dear John Muir,

I come humbled by your message and sadly late to the congregation.  Although your body has passed your spirit still delivers passionate sermons among the Trees.  Once heard in Natures voice your message to mankind became part of my heart forever.

In the Forest I hear a choir so sweet it often brings tears and I wonder if its song is a whisper to my Soul from the Universe. There is not a Rock or Flower that does not hold my Heart as I pause to learn its secrets. How is it I could have reached fifty plus years before knowing the intimate beauty of Nature?  I am thankful my life will from this point forward move in unison with the natural world.

Thank you for being there to guide me as I hike within Natures sacred spaces.

Much Love,
Lee

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Hiking with My Husband June Wk 2: When Squirrels Rule the World

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 12, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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I am dedicating this blog to my beloved husband Rick. An injury will leave him sidelined from the hiking trails and his Forest for nearly a month and a half.  Be brave baby I promise the Forest will be waiting with open arms for your return after you heal.  Until then we will always have our gentle stroll on the promenade to visit and sing with the Mockingbirds, Gray Catbird and Brown Thrashers.

This month hiking has been a Squirrel fest,  emerging from nests are many new and old friends.  Lovely Juveniles out foraging for the first time alone and old friends showing up as we head into the Forest. Lovely pregnant soon to be Moms, search for nuts is the soft green grass.  As I look through my photos from that past two weeks at the many Squirrels appearing throughout the park it hard to imagine a world without them.  Some of Natures sweetest gifts often have four paws and a bushy tail.

Love to You ALL!
Lee

Happy World Environment Day – Hot Springs National Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 5, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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As you will all probably already know my husband Rick and I believe everyday is Environment Earth Green Trails Day.  Living surrounded (literally) by the Forests of Hot Springs National Park it would be impossible not to be thinking of the planet’s health everyday. Have a Happy World Environment Day,  please enjoy a few sights from National Trails Day within Hot Springs National Park.  Don’t forget to mark your calenders for next years International Hike Our Planet Day on March 14th!

Love to ALL!
Lee

Wildflowers Everywhere and a Surprise Discovery

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 16, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

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I spent so much time hiking, taking and editing photographs that words will be kept to a minimum.  I must begin by mentioning my delight in seeing Stubby, she is a sweet Squirrel who is missing nearly half of her tail.  It has been many weeks since our last encounter, I was concerned that she might have been killed or injured.

Wildflowers are bursting open across the park with purple, pink and yellow being the predominant colors. I discovered one lonely battered Birds-Foot Violet with a teeny tiny grasshopper sitting on its bottom petal. The new park arrival abundant on both the Gulpha Gorge and Goat Rock Trails is the Pink Ouachita Blazing Star.  Lovely bell shaped pale purple Smooth Petunias are blossoming on nearly every trail in the park.  The spectacular array of Wildflowers are attracting a variety of colorful Butterflies.  There colors rival the flowers on which they are feeding.  A nearly invisible Prairie Lizard is frozen on an old log resting within a field of Pink Wildflowers.

My biggest surprise was discovering a patch of Cactus hidden among the Wildflowers I was photographing.  Yes, Cactus! I had no idea they could grow and survive in this climate.  I must return soon as they will be blooming soon.

My final comment is about the Male Cardinal I photographed today.  This poor fellow is molting in on one spot, his head.  He has a receding hair/feather line and looks as if one of his parents was a vulture.   To learn more about molting please read this great article by The Cornell Lab.  Embarrassed to say I had no idea this was happening to my feathered friends in the park. I Love learning something new everyday, Nature is the best teacher!

Love to ALL!
Lee