These are a few that I've taken during the time since I posted the opening leaf buds and the deer. They're fairly random; I've been kept busy by running all over town on errands and missions of absolutely no consequence or value. It's very draining of energy, in case anyone is interested, though I suspect you've all had episodes in your lives when you have been put through similar trials.
So, in chronological order, but not necessarily linked by anything else, they are:
A nice springtime sky …
And one that's beginning to look positively summery …
The trees and bushes are beginning to cloak the houses …
And some more humble friends appear …
The locust tree begins to open its leaves (and, incidentally, drop them all over my car) …
And, as I mentioned to Dax, the flowering crabapple trees put on their yearly finery for the occasion. They are so abundantly flowered, yet for such a short time, that one must take many pictures at the same time. Thank god for digital!
And, just to finish off, an architectural shot from my son's hospital room window. Not terribly spring-y? Well it was right after a spring T-storm, which accounts for the colour … it feels spring-y to me.
Besides … it's a nice change-of-pace.
Cheers, all …
der Wandersmann 
debplatt
May 13, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Loved these photos. The crabapple tree blossoms were wonderful. I liked the locust tree photo, too.I knew you were driving someone to the hospital, but I didn't realize it was your son. I'm sorry to hear that he is having health difficulties.
derWandersmann
May 13, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Oh, that's not who I was driving … it's a woman here in the apartment complex, afflicted with diabetes, epilepsy, morbid obesity (When she's in my car, my tires rub in the wheelwells!), and not an awful lot of good sense.My son lives with his girlfriend, and she drove him to the hospital, then called me.
debplatt
May 13, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Oh! Well, nice of you to help your neighbor! But your son was checked in to the hospital, right? I hope it's not too serious… :worried:
derWandersmann
May 13, 2010 at 11:05 pm
He's still there, full of tubes. His appendix burst as they were getting it out, so he's full of infectious goop. They're pumping him out as I speak.
debplatt
May 14, 2010 at 3:05 am
Oh my! Very unfortunate that it burst. Besides trying to get the nasty goop out, I'm guessing he'll be on a very potent course of antibiotics for some time. Will be thinking of your family.
derWandersmann
May 14, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Deb, what in blazes is that in your hand in your profile pic? It looks like a Ma'asai lion spear that has got all rusty and bent.
debplatt
May 14, 2010 at 8:05 pm
😆 Here's the complete photo. It's from a hike I went on this winter.It's actually not my staff. I was using a black walking stick that's in my other hand near my coat. Some guy at the hike offered to take a photo of me with the "snow cone" in the background. So while he's snapping my photo, I'm holding his walking stick.
derWandersmann
May 14, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Well, it still looks like a lion spear … what is it, really? … and not just a walking stick.That looks like a samoyed in the background.Interesting looking place … Is there karst topography on the area?
debplatt
May 14, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Originally posted by derWandersmann:
I'll never know. The guy who owned it was a complete stranger. 5400 people showed up in the dead of winter to hike this area (plus some dogs, as you've noted). I did a write up on the hike and mentioned a little bit about the geological forces that formed this area here. I think it is the most picturesque part of Ohio.It's not karst topography… not limestone. The underlaying rock is Black Hand Sandstone. There is a middle portion of the sandstone that is softer and has eroded faster. The topological features were carved out by glacial melt water. There were torrents of it here.Besides a photo album of the area from the winter hike, there's another one here from the summer.
Zaphira
May 15, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Ahh, spring, the greatest time of year, brightness and sun and new life… :happy:
derWandersmann
May 15, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Bloody lot of people on a hike! The reason I asked about karst is there is an extensive area of it next door, in Indiana … in the south, bordered by the river. Geomorphologists are fascinated by it. I don't know much about Ohio, the only thing I remember about it (besides getting speeding tickets) is that I thought I had found a Hopewell Civilisation remnant there … I had to call in an archæologist friend to have a look … It turned out that most of the stonework was hammer-dressed, and thus by Europeans … but there was no record of it.In the summer hike … I love that big ol' fuzzy dawg.Hi, Zaphira! I don't see you here very often.
debplatt
May 16, 2010 at 12:05 am
Originally posted by derWandersmann:
:lol:Originally posted by derWandersmann:
I have what looks like an arrowhead and maybe a spearhead or a tool for skinning animals. My dad found them in Pennsylvania where both he and I grew up. They may not actually be authentic, either. Here's what they look like.Originally posted by derWandersmann:
She reminds me of a wookie. 😀 We adopted her from a dog pound. Here are several of my favorite photos of her and my daughter, Dee – who coincidentally is being checked out in the ER right now. She lost sight in an eye, then regained it. Scary. But her dad and I have both had optical migraines, and I believe that's probably what happened to her. I'd be there with her, but she's away at her university.Hope your son is doing better.
ramanujam1993
May 17, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Hi there
i must tell u that u r the best photographer i've ever met in my life.:yes:
Perfect capturing of beautiful nature in our wonderful camera with ur creativity.:)
all the pictures of nature here are very impressive.:) keep it up!!!
derWandersmann
May 17, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Good grief, Ram! I may be old, but I'm not blind! These are kinda big!
ramanujam1993
May 17, 2010 at 11:05 pm
😆
ramanujam1993
May 17, 2010 at 11:05 pm
😆
daxonmacs
May 18, 2010 at 3:05 am
Thanks for the pictures of the crabapple tree. You were right to go out, they are splendid.A pity they only blossom for such a short time.
ramanujam1993
May 18, 2010 at 4:05 am
@der Wandersmann
what camera r u having now?
Zaphira
May 18, 2010 at 3:05 pm
<rubs eyes> :faint:
derWandersmann
May 18, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Originally posted by ramanujam1993:
Same one.
daxonmacs
May 18, 2010 at 6:05 pm
😆
RedFreya
May 18, 2010 at 7:05 pm
First, I wish your son a speedy recovery.That crab apple blossom is so profuse, like pillars of pink and red. Very beautiful.I would like to say it is not often you can read a comment from the other side of the room. :eyes: 😆
debplatt
May 18, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Originally posted by RedFreya:
I didn't even need my bifocals. 😉
derWandersmann
May 18, 2010 at 9:05 pm
I used my binoculars backwards.
ssalonis
July 3, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Really lovely pictures of those blossoms and I enjoyed your answer to the BIG alphabets adoring your photography skills 😀