It’s been a craptastic day. Therefore, rhododendrons. Sometimes, you just need to stop and look at enormous flowers while classic Doctor Who plays in the background and life sorts itself out.
Good thing my intrepid companion and I went to Rhododendron Park on Sunday, then.
So the park was full of people celebrating Mother’s Day, and none of the rhodies were clearly marked as to what sort of varieties they were, and we had to park blocks away. It was still beautiful. And free. I like free.
Not to mention beautiful.
This lovely place is in Kenmore, Washington. Yes, I know, it’s a town that sounds like an appliance. But it has some quite nice spots.
The sun was shining, and the birds were singing. I used to love birdsong. But when all I get to photograph is yet another dark-eyed junco arse, I start to feel put upon. Good thing there were ginormous flowering bushes to ease the pain. And wait until Sunday, when I’m going to show you some fabulous birds.
At least I got bees. I love bees. I love watching them contort themselves getting at pollen, because when they’re doing that, I can photograph them in macro mode and never worry a moment about getting stung.
I got one coming in for a landing. How awesome is that shot? How incredible are these little creatures with the big fuzzy bodies and itty-bitty wings, ensuring the flowers get to have hot, passionate sex by proxy?
The colors at Rhododendron Park were exquisite. I especially like the juxtaposition against the Japanese maples.
This is how big these bushes are. They’re practically trees. And I just wanted to crawl into them and sit and dream the time away, but we had lots of rhodies to see. Also, we’d left the cat locked up indoors, and it being my second excursion in perfect porch weather, I felt a bit guilty about it.
But, you know what, flowers. Fuck the cat.
What was I saying about maples and rhodies? Aw, yeah.
I’m still astonished sometimes by how lush the Pacific Northwest is. I shouldn’t be, after five years here, but the vegetation still takes me by surprise on occasion.
And when the sun shines through it, setting those tremendous colors afire, you can almost forgive it for hiding all the geology.
These don’t quite qualify as mystery flora, but if you recognize any of the varieties, feel free to let us know what they are.
5 comments
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Gregory in Seattle
May 16, 2012 at 6:52 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’ve lived here for 18 years, and I’m still astonished sometimes. This last Sunday, I was walking home in the early afternoon, came around the corner onto the street where I’ve lived for 15 of those years, and was literally struck immobile by the thick golden-green of unfiltered sunlight reflecting off of leaves that I would have sworn weren’t there three hours earlier, and the shimmering dapple on the sidewalks beneath. It was amazing.
Megan
May 16, 2012 at 6:56 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I love the contrast of the purple flowers against the Metasequoia foliage in the background of the second-to-last photo!
Trebuchet
May 16, 2012 at 8:12 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
We’ve got some like the fourth picture but I don’t recall the name. One of my favorites.
Not only is it rhodie season, the weather in what I refer to as “The Great Northwet” has been absolutely glorious for more than a week now. And still no rain in sight for a few days.
The downside of rhodie season is that it’s also Scotch broom season. Those are the lovely yellow bushes along the side of so many of our highways. They are absolute murder on my wife’s asthma.
rcs
May 16, 2012 at 2:52 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Have you been to the Arboretum? Lots of ginormous rhodies. Foster Island at the Arboretum is a terrific wetlands walk. Kayaking or canoeing there is a good way to look for USDs (Unidentified Swimming Dinosaurs). Although I had one memorable time being chased by a swan while rowing there.
Not much in the way of open geology though. Any exposed rocks are quickly mossed over. But if you go during or after a rainy day, mushroom IDing is another hobby.
Navigator
May 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I have major envy. Up here in USDA Zone 4, I had a rhodie. It was just getting ready for a really good pop when the deer ate it.