My anticipation of the imminent color explosion courtesy of the flowering trees leads me to an exclamation that may seem out of place, at first glance: "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" No, I'm not stuck in a holiday-season time warp. My apologies to those who love the winter holidays, but I just happen to prefer spring, that's all. Sure, in many regions, the weather's nothing to brag about yet. But as one who lives in a cold Northern Hemisphere climate, what I love about this time of year is that the worst weather is behind me, and the best lies squarely ahead.

OK, I admit it: I'm also the type who takes the trouble to back into parking spots, so that I have the luxury of pulling straight out, when it's time to leave! I guess I'm just the type of guy who thrives on looking forward to things....

Of the eye candy I look forward to viewing in the coming months, the blossoms of flowering trees may top the list. The pictures of flowering trees in this gallery are a tribute to their beauty.

View photo gallery: Pictures of Flowering Trees