A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet...

Well, what to say about the rest of today...went to one of the local metropolitan parks (Highbanks) and had a wander around one of the naure trails there. Saw the Olentangy river and several buzzards and turkey vultures flying about, too high to take a picture of even with a 300mm lens on my Nikon D70 - equates to about a 500mm lens when attached to the camera. Sweeeeet!! Did however see Punxsutawney Bill hanging out so took a few pictures of him. Also looked for hummers (of the feathered variety) at the Ranger Station feeding tray but none graced us with their presence.

Next up was the Rose Park. Now, those who know me would think that I would not be interested in taking pictures of flowers. WRONG!!! Once I got started on the macro photography...well, lets just say that I would have happily shot off two reels of film if I had my Nikon F70 with me. Some stunning blooms...only bummer being that they are starting to go off-season so some were looking a little wilted. But if you are ever in the area then I would seriously recommend a look at this park. BTW Helen, some good pics for stitching - I'll give you a copy of a few. Tried the pics with both the 300mm zoom and the Nikon D70 kit lens - I feel so good about those that I might actually post them to a forum I look at occaisionally and await adulation. But that may have to wait until I get back - unless I can find a CF reader whilst I am out here.

Oh, shopping for food and wine: Trader Joes. The aroma can be described as ecelectic - spices and stuff. And there's a Kroger up the road...

Also popped along to one of the local ice parlours, Graeters. They certainly know their stuff - a choccy wafer cone with two scoops, one of coconut choc chip and one of almond chocolate. Now, I reckon that they should be done under trades description: it *should* read "Coconut Choc CHUNK". Suffice it to say that it were sooooo good that I couldn't finish it and felt rather full afterwards.

German Village next, and popped into Loft Books. "OK", I hear you say, "It's a book store - so what?" Ah, but what a concept. Instead of building a store they've taken one of the old houses there and built a book store inside it. Nothing novel there, but they have no departments. They have instead kept the original rooms and books are arranged by them - Room 1 for travel, room 2 for history, etc. They have 32 rooms in all, with quite a large variety of books.

Oh John, you asked about the Taurus. Just that I've never driven an automatic before, much less one with a column shift and on the "wrong" side of the road. It's a good job that I was following Mike back to the apartment. And John, we've seen a Mini billboard advert that you'd crack up at - I'll see if I can get a picture of it.

Anyhow, the plan tomorrow is to go to the aquarium in Newport - 2-1/2 trip there and the same back, so it'll be an early start. Will let you all know how it goes.

Ciao