Date: 4/23/24 5:38 am From: Joseph Neal <joeneal...> Subject: REAP! Reap! BIRDY MORNING IN AN OZARK HOLLER
I walked two trails at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Monday morning. Both around 0.6 miles and easy. Both in the hollow through which flows a classy Ozark stream, Little Clifty Creek. I was out about 3-hours.
Listening and watching birds. Periodically checking with the Merlin app. As expected Merlin heard gnatcatchers and Black-and-White Warblers I can’t hear anymore unless they are very close. However, I can still hear calls of both Hooded and Kentucky Warblers, both numerous this morning. I can still hear some of these better than Merlin. It is comforting to hear REAP REAP and then spot Great Crested Flycatcher, newly arrived.
Wildflowers were plentiful in this lovely Ozark hollow. Startling, really, at times, in their magnificence of color, design, and dominance of place. Brilliant sun illuminating deep crimson of Pawpaw flowers.
Since it is part of burgeoning Northwest Arkansas City, Hobbs can sometimes be over-visited. Picking right day helps. My trip was on a Monday when they were few other visitors. It was mainly just me and that Prairie Lizard basking on the steps of Van Winkle garden. Having now reached my own old lizard years, I appreciate the joys of basking.
