The sky is awaiting the arrival of the sun as I enter the park this morning. Cool breezes are ruffling the leaves on Trees and Bushes and a golden glow is beginning to appear above the Trees as I reach the top of Tufa Terrace. A beautiful Eastern Cottontail is munching on a delicious grassy breakfast. Further along a pair of Mourning Doves sit watching me high in a Tree above the trail.
Archive for the ‘Carriage Road’ Category
28 Jul
The Details Create a Beautiful Forest
As I step out the door this morning the skies are gray and the clouds not only block the sun but obscure the view of the Tower. I am hopeful the Sun will prevail, but carry my rain hat just in case I am incorrect. As I reach the top of the Tufa Terrace ramp a lovely female Cardinal briefly lands in the Tree above me. She is carrying a beak full of pine needles for rebuilding her nest perhaps.
27 Jul
Chipmunks, Cardinal, Dragonfly and Guest Hiker
Today’s hike is a bit different for two reasons; one I did not get out the door until 10:00 a.m. and two my beloved Husband Rick came with me on my hike. As I was not alone my narrative is going to be in the past tense rather than in the moment. I tend to immerse myself in the Forest when I am alone, it would not have been fair to meditate when I am hiking with someone else 
26 Jul
Creatures of the Park Reveal Themselves Before the Storm
I am typing my blog watching a large storm rage outside, thunder, lightning and flash floods. It is rain that has been so desperately needed in the park, life giving liquid. For two week we have been under a heat advisory and with each passing day wildlife was becoming less visible. I was worried they could die from the lack of rain and the extreme heat, Hot Springs has been having “August temperatures” since mid June. The ground cover foliage was turning yellow and leaves were drying and falling off the Trees as if it were Autumn. Today a cool breeze came in ahead of the storm and the park came back to life.
25 Jul
Lots of Winged Beauties and a Little Squirrel
Sunday and as I head out a sidewalk regular calls out “You hike on Sundays too!”, I reply ” God is in the Mountains!” I head up the Tufa Terrace Trail when I enter the park, always excited by the surprises Nature shares with me. Today is flight school and I was blessed to see the baby Northern Mockingbird from Jul 11 flying from branch to branch and Tree to Tree with it’s mom. This baby has a beautiful voice I could not forget from out first encounter. It was a perfect start to my morning hike.
22 Jul
A Race Across the Park for Eight Points
The temperature is already 86 when I get up at 6:20 a.m., so I am rushing to get out by 7:25 a.m. to hike before it gets much hotter. My plan is for a quick hike up Hot Springs Mountain and back down. A jogger passes me as I head up the stairs into the park. When I reach the Promenade a small group of people is approaching and we take different paths up the Mountain.
20 Jul
Beautiful Wings In The Park
Hot Springs is under a heat advisory until Friday so it is hot as I enter the park at 7:50 am. I am finally getting use to the constant haze caused by the humidity. As I am heading up to the top of the mountain via the Dead Chief and Short Cut Trails I realize I have not seen many Squirrels, Chipmunks and Rabbits for several days. The heat appears to be affecting their normal feeding and movement patterns.
19 Jul
Snoberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth and Green Trails
I am into the park early as we are set to have another hot day. It appears the grounds keepers, dog walkers and tourist all had the same idea. A large juvenile Cardinal in the tree above me on the Carriage Road calls out sending me on my way. I hike up the Dead Chief and Short Cut Trails to the top of Hot Springs Mountain Trail where I am greeted by sound of blowers.
17 Jul
Hiking in the Rain and Thunderstorms
I start my morning hike at 7:45 am with only a skiff of clouds trailing across the blue sky. The sun is still behind Hot Springs Mountain as I enter the park. A bush at the foot of the Tufa Terrace has beautiful pink blossoms, if anyone knows what it is I would love to know the name of the flower. As I cross over the Promenade I look up and see a sweet baby Squirrel in the tree above me. It is still wanting to stay hidden form the crowds moving below.
16 Jul
The Best Of: Birds
It’s Rick’s Birthday today and I have been busy publishing his book Londons Times Our Favorites 13th Anniversary Edition. So for today’s blog I offer Friday in Flight, my favorite Birds. I have a long way to go with bird photography they move, fly and hop, so it’s a learning process.
