A great time to do nature hikes is in spring.    The locations match the areas in which spring emerges from the winter and there are wildflowers, flowering shrubs, birds, pollinators, insects, plant growth, and wildlife to spot and observe.    These hikes are usually shorter and slower, but they also may be hilly or even strenuous.     They are interspersed between other hikes and kayaking on lakes and rivers.

The most recent was a return hike to the Barnes Lake Trails, starting at the Barnes Lake trailhead.    On an out-and-back hike in the lower grasslands I stopped to observe and photograph emerging wildflowers.    I checked out some shrubs and trees too.    The highlight was a fully-flowered large waxy currant shrub (Ribes cereum) with many bees collecting nectar.

Part of every nature hike is some off-trail exploration watching for whatever nature can offer.    A YouTube video on this nature hike will be published on the RambleOn Channel soon.