First Visit To Blue Hills - Skyline Trails

This was my first trail hike since returning from India. The original plan for the day was to meet my friend who had graduated from university and have lunch together. While catching up, we discovered that the restaurant we wanted to visit opened at 4 PM, leaving us with three hours to spare. We decided to explore Blue Hills Skyline Trail—a perfect choice for a chill yet sunny day.

We began our hike next to a lakeside, walking and gazing around. The area was bustling with energy as we observed people enjoying themselves and children playing. As we continued our hike, the trail gradually inclined, leading us through a dense forest. The air grew cooler under the canopy of trees, providing a welcome respite from the sun. We could hear the distant chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, immersing us further into nature's embrace. During the incline, I became aware of my fitness level as I felt slightly out of breath and noticed how the extra weight was affecting my body. However, I was so delighted to be out in nature that it didn't bother me at all.

As we continued our hike, we noticed a change in the forest's composition. The trees seemed to grow denser, and the atmosphere became more mysterious. Suddenly, we spotted a baby snake crossing our path. It was a fleeting moment, and unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough to capture a picture of the little reptile. As we ventured further, the forest became noticeably darker. The canopy above grew thicker, filtering out more sunlight. In this shadowy environment, we began to notice intricate spider webs glistening with dew, their delicate structures catching what little light penetrated the forest.

Our fascination with the forest's inhabitants grew as we encountered three different types of spiders. Each species had its unique characteristics - one with vibrant colors, another with an unusually large body, and a third with long, spindly legs. This unexpected arachnid diversity added an element of excitement to our hike, reminding us of the rich biodiversity present in these forests. I hoped to spot some birds since we heard a lot of chirping. However, the trees were very tall, making it difficult to see any. Then, I spotted a woodpecker pecking at a tree. Later, we came to a fork in the road: one path had shrubs and rocks, while the other continued through the forest. We chose the path with rocks and shrubs. On this route, I could see sunlight filtering through, and the path opened up to wide fields filled with flowers and berry trees. My hopes rose, as birds are often attracted to berries. In these fields, we saw many insects, particularly dragonflies.

As we strolled through these fields, we were treated to a captivating display of colorful butterflies flitting from flower to flower. Their delicate wings shimmered in the sunlight, adding a touch of enchantment to our hike. Although we didn't spot as many birds as I'd hoped, we did manage to see a few and capture some pictures. The rich insect life, glimpses of avian activity, and the stunning landscape made our journey through the Blue Hills Skyline Trail truly memorable.

We ended this wonderful day at Doragon Eatery [https://maps.app.goo.gl/kgEuA2dRa8be2kKg6**], savoring spicy ramen and delicious chicken wings.

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