Trees on Heiligenberg, in the fall. I went for a random bus ride one day just to explore a little, ended up in Handschuheim, and found a sign pointing to "Heiligenberg." So I went hiking. Here: evidence that the trees are indeed pretty. "Heiligenberg" means "holy mountain," which has been this mountain's name since people started living here. It's kinda cool, how the reverence for this place sticks through the centuries. There used to be a fort somewhere on the peak as well - signs mark the inner and outer walls. There's no more physical evidence, hardly surprising considering the frequency of war. "Heidelberg" is named after the blueberries -Heidelbeeren - that should grow in these forests. I've seen walnuts and chestnuts, but it's the wrong time of year for berries, of course.

These flowers are called Gänseblümchen - I'm not sure really what we call them. The dictionaries translate it as "daisies," but that's about as accurate as calling Fleischkaese "meatloaf." I think we just don't have them, at least in the Midwest and West, which is a terrible pity. They grow close to the ground, and appear to spread like weeds. Their name comes from the feathery soft little petals.

I have always loved freshly unfurling ferns. I cannot explain.

It looks a little like a Box Elder beetle. Can it be?

A cute bit of greenery near a path on Heiligenberg, in the spring.

A carved Squirrel, randomly in the woods.

I don't know who goes around the forest with a chainsaw, carving these things out, but it's definitely not a one-time accidental carving: There are also benches with stylistically similar owls carved onto the backs. A mystery...

Near the top of Heiligenberg are the remains of Stephanskloster, an old cloister. All that remains is a tower.

View of the Altstadt (and Schloss) from Stephankloster's lingering tower.