The Orioles-Here Today Gone Tomorrow

One day there were Orioles all over Hot Springs Village. Everyone with feeders had at least three birds looking for food. The next day they were gone. I guess they moved on to their summer home. Here are some pictures of the ones that visited my feeder.

HERE TODAY.....

...GONE TOMORROW

Walking the Trails in 2016 Installment Two

A perfect day for a walk.  Considering that rain is predicted all of next week we decided to check out the Cedar Creek Trail.  It was in the path of some high winds last year and was closed for a long time.  After a major pick-up it was reopened.  It is still winter on the Trail.  I saw a few wild flowers, but no buds on the trees.  The evidence of the damage really showed with no foliage to hide all of the downed trees.  

After parking the car at Lot A we walked about 1.5 miles of the 3 miles of trails.  We took the Blue Bird Path to the Mourning Dove Path and turned around about half way.  

Then, we took the Kingfish Loop and back to the car. We'll go back when it is in foliage and walk the other 1.5 miles. 

Along the trail we saw some cairns, 

a few wild flowers, 

evidence of a beaver (maybe), 

and a lot dormant hardwoods.

The only evidence of Spring is in my back yard. 

 A single omen that Spring might be on its way.

Walking the Trails Again in 2016...

Hot Springs Village has 15 trails totaling 30 miles for running, walking, hiking, or biking. In 2012 and 2013 we walked all of them.  The weather has been so nice this winter we decided to make a return trip to each of them.  The first on our list was the closest to us and we wanted to see how it fared.  The lake beside the trail had been plagued with an algae type scum and was taking over.  It was not a pretty sight and still is a mess.  It looks as if it has been drained in hopes of killing the algae.  I am hoping it succeeds because it is an interesting trail for birds and plant life. 

 

In fact, my first trip down the trail was a bird walk on a cold March morning around 8:00 am. The Hot Springs Village Audubon Society conducted the tour. I was so cold that all I remember seeing was a cardinal and I could see those in my backyard. Oh and I heard a few tweets and twitters.

Pictures from our walk this year.

Turtles

Trees

Turtles and Trees

Trail's End

Sums it up for this Trail in 2016

It's all about the outfit!

We are headed to Hot Springs Village today to look around at houses, eat a bite and play nine holes of golf.

Chuck has undertaken the onerous task of teaching me to play golf.  This adventure started about 3 years ago.  I think he decided he needed someone to play with when his "fellow" group wasn't available....that would be me :D!


A little background..very little:  
I am not, repeat, not, a natural athlete!  Enough said.

I have almost got it, but not quite.  I find the right costume makes all the difference!




What do you think...
improvement already!








I am getting there!  and remember the club head covers...






and the right hat.....












I'll keep you posted on any progress!