The Zenith

We have reached the pinnacle and glory of the reason people have rhododendrons in their yard. For the next 2 weeks, the flowers are in their showy best. Much of the year the rhododendron is kind of non-descript blaisé shrub. They have their function for being in the background but now they grab our attention and demand that we notice them for awhile. Last year a pilot stopped by the house because he saw the flowers as he was flying over our house. He came for a better look.
Tomorrow I'll post some video.

Day 9 and 10 Slowing down the blooming train

Day 10 Day 9

The blooming train has slowed down a bit with the cool, rainy weather. It's difficult to decipher the difference between day 9 and day 10. Fortunately, the blooms are not in their full bloom glory because rain can ruin a good display. The weight of the water on the petals makes the petals fall apart. Rain would be devastating next week, especially the amount that we had overnight. There were some loud thunderclaps yesterday.
I am most amazed at how late the Rhodys are this year. Some years they are past their prime on Mother's Day. We have a week to go before they are fully on display.

Rhody Day 9 It's almost there

What a difference a couple of nice days make. The bee's are buzzing now. We weeded under all the Rhodys to get out of the way of the bees. This is almost my favorite time to see the Rhodys because of the anticipation of what they will look like. I am glad I got my camera back from the Black Tie event ( see blog two days ago.)

Rhody Day 8 Now I know why I have a new camera

Since I haven't retrieved my camera yet, I had to take a picture with our old digital camera that has 2 pixels. If digital cameras had rods and cones I'd say that the rods and cones are shot. I now know why we purchased a new camera. This picture doesn't show the fact that I mowed the lawn.
What an awful time to be cameraless!!! With the gorgeous day yesterday and the way the day is starting today, the Rhody is making great strides in the blooming process. Does anyone have a name for my Rhody? Is anyone even reading this?

Rhody Day 7

Oh no. I left my camera at the event I presented a program. I was able to entertain at a fundraiser for our local hospital foundation, Monroe Valley Hospital Foundation. Enough money was raised to complete an emergency call system in patient emergency rooms. It was a very nice black tie event.




My audience has never looked so good!
With this being said, my Rhody picture for day 7 is on the camera. I'll post the picture tomorrow.

Day 6 Blooming on the way

It's a sunny day. There will be a lot of progress today. The bees are starting to check out the blossoms but don't spend much time yet. The blossoms are now beginning to shed their "husk," similar to a caterpillar's cocoon. There are quite a few "husks" on the ground. Again, I have to go play my harp (work). I really enjoy playing the harp. It's the carrying of it and all the other paraphernalia that is a drag for me. I am often asked masked as a funny line, "have you ever thought of playing the flute?" I think I am going to show up with a flute sometime to see how they like it.

Rhody Day 6 (be sure to double click on the picture)

Day 5 Progress

Progress is being made. Remarkably so for the cold day. I take the Rhody picture everyday at 7:30 in the morning. I adjusted my camera this time for better exposure. I think it looks better now. Believe it or not, I had to work today so that is why my posting is later than normal. What do you think I have to do all day.....watch the Rhododendrons bloom?