Bob's New Life in Columbus: May 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

NE OH Spring Waterfall Tour - May 10, 2009 - Stop 8a

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This is a multi-part blog entry that
documents my trip to the Cleveland
area in early May, 2009.

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Since the morning's activities

took less time than I expected,

I determined I could drive to

the Holden Arboretum for a visit.

(This is my only non-waterfall

stop on the itinerary.)

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This place is a photographer's

and flower lover's paradise!

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In the gardens surrounding the

welcome center were several

nice specimens. Below is

fothergilla, I think...

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This columbine is something

I never saw growing in the South.

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Solomon's Seal
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I don't know what this purple

flower is, but I like it.
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Another beautiful columbine!
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I thought this next plant
was coreopsis,
but now I'm not so sure.
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This quince was full of
red flowers.
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This section of the arboretum

highlighted their viburnum

and lilac collections.

If you've ever wandered what

heaven smells like,

put these two scents together

in an area with blossom

upon blossom upon blossom...

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These peonies (pronounced

pee-OWN-ees in the South--HA!)

were still working their way

toward full bloom.

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The lilac blooms on this specimen

were massive!

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Daphne

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This flower had already bloomed,

but it's seed pod was so interesting

I had to get a shot.

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Lady's Mantel doesn't have

showy flowers, but it is

elegant in its own way.

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White and purple lilacs...

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Peony bloom...

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LOOK AT THIS LILAC

CLUSTER-BLOOM!

One cutting would perfume

an entire house!

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This flower looks so "springy."

Keep in mind that it's still

in the low 50s even though

the sun is shining brightly.

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I don't know what this is,

but I love it!

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Notice the clouds in the background, too!

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I took this photo of a plaque on

a park bench to show my friend

Ione Katz, who is an avid birder.

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Can you imagine a dogwood

being in full bloom in MAY!?!

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Another beautiful peony...

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This lilac bush was enormous!

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A tulip tree or a type of magnolia?

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Viburnum...

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The lotuses that bloom here

a little later in the year are

supposedly red, orange, and yellow.

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Not sure of this one either,

but click on the photo to

see the delicate cascade better...

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Aww! A gosling!

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WOW! GOSLINGS!

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Isn't this tree great!

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Friday, May 29, 2009

NE OH Spring Waterfall Tour - May 10, 2009 - Stop 8b

-----

This is a multi-part blog entry that

documents my trip to the Cleveland

area in early May, 2009.

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I may have seen my last

viburnum and lilac of

this season. As I turned

to go to the Rhododendron

Garden, I spy a buckeye tree.

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Before heading south, I decide

to visit the Rockery.

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Some of these plants may look

rather normal for a garden,

but most are very rare species.

The one below is only found

twice in the entire state of Ohio.

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Yay! I found a may-apple blossom!

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These tiny irises only stood

a few inches from the ground.

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Finally, I'm on my way to
the rhododendron collection.
But what did I just hear in the leaves?
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Click on the photo to see the
woodland creature I discovered
on this blustery day.
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I wish I had taken a shot of the
enormous gates that keep the
deer from eating the prized
rhododendrons. I thought I
had lost my way...like Dorothy
at the door of the
Wizard of Oz!
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Once inside, however, the
beauty unfolded.
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I've seen primrose in little pots
at Kroger, but I've never seen
them growing in the wild.
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I don't know what this is,
but the purple tops were lovely.
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AH! My first shot of a
rhododendron (of MANY!)...
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Azaleas grow well in the South,
but rhododendrons (in the same
family, of course) do not grow
in the humidity of my home state.
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The above shot is one of my favorites.
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I love this combination of
yellows, pinks and oranges.
(I think of a peach when I
see the colors together.)
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Heath Pond
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Here is a different set of gates
to keep the deer out.
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See the color on the hill
across the pond?
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I've seen these scurrying around
all day. I didn't think I would
ever get a shot!
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I never fail to look at this pink
specimen without thinking
of my grandmother Lorette
Reynolds. She would have been
so happy: pink was her favorite color.
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