Spring Emerging

We've eased into the new season gently and mildly this year, with chilly days mostly outnumbered by warm. As has become my habit, I gathered some materials for a change-of-seasons mandala, this one for the Vernal Equinox here in the Northern hemisphere.



Not too many flowering bits to choose from yet, despite the warming days, but still they emerge more and more with every beautiful day.



A walk on the Blue Marsh Lake hiking trail on Saturday gave some special spring gifts -- birdsong galore, perfect blue skies, remnants of fall and winter fungi...





The trees have not yet leafed out, but the air was buzzing with the energy of life just under the surface.





And along the streams' edges, what I think is Lesser Celandine (?), or at the very least, definitely some cousin in the Buttercup (Ranunculus) family, was *everywhere* and in all stages of blooming.







And a very exciting first for me: Bloodroot! (Sanguinaria canadensis) Oh my heart!





There are still several "Spring Ephemerals" on my plant bucket list, but stumbling upon this patch of Bloodroot was one of the most thrilling plant sightings I can remember in a long time. <3

The Pulpit Rock - Pinnacle Loop, 3/6/16

It's no secret that I love the trails up at the Hamburg Reservoir. But on the 6th of this month, I decided to push myself a little harder, put the camera away, and take a hike that covered a little more ground than I usually manage with my eye to a view-finder. So I grabbed a map from midatlantichikes.com and hit the road.



It's an easy enough loop hike considering you have a designated parking area, well-blazed trails, and two major scenic overlooks to enjoy along the way.



But true to Pennsylvania's AT fame, it is a smidge rocky in parts...



...and the elevation gain left an out of shape person such as myself going a little slowly up the hills.









A few miles along the ridge after the Pulpit, the map basically said, "Take the blue blazed spur at the biggest cairn you've ever seen to get to the Pinnacle," and they weren't kidding!



So of course this baby cairn gave me a giggle immediately after seeing the Mt. Everest of trail markers.



Some view. :)







Finishing up down at the reservoir was a treat on such a still day. The lake looked like glass.



Definitely eager to do this again soon, but maybe adding in the distance to Hawk Mountain as well. We'll see!

Hamburg Reservoir/Appalachian Trail - 2/28/16

Cannot say enough how thankful I am to have so many amazing places to hike only a short drive from my home in any direction. I need nature more and more every day as I try to navigate my way through stressful times, and it's always there waiting with new surprises. <3