LOVE this time of the season - hikes to find wildflowers and listen for returning songbirds

[NewHendoLib]

Perfect weather today, so my wife and I did a 6 mile hike in the nearby Pisgah Forest. Main wildflowers were trout lilies and an assortment of violets (Halberd leaf and a more typical leaf yellow, typical purple, and white). Birds - Louisiana Waterthrush (identified by the BirdNET app from the song) - along with the usual assortment of titmice, chickadees, towhees and cardinals. We took our two big dogs - plenty of water for them to cavort in (and get dirty - the key is ensuring there is clean water at the end to wash off the mud from the less clean!).

On the way home - the first ice cream cones of the year.

Life is good because of days like this!

[blm]

1. It really was a gorgeous day.

So was yesterday.

[NewHendoLib]

2. Yup! we are bouncing between DuPont, Pisgah, and the Arboretum.

We found we like Trailside for a late afternoon pint too.

[Probatim]

3. I'm with you in spirit - in SW PA, we're a few weeks behind you but...

It'll soon be time for trout lilies and morels. Waterfowl are migrating through but towhees and chipping sparrows have returned. Northern flickers are calling daily and their cousins, both downy and hairy woodpeckers, are doing their thing as well.

Can't wait to get out on my own hikes.

Thanks for the great post.