Azaleas and the glory of spring

 Each time of year about now I get very excited about the blooming of the countless azaleas here in  the Charleston area.  They seem to have found their perfect habitat, and in March and April put on a show of such unparalleled beauty that I am always dazzled and in awe of this miracle of Nature.   Especially bountiful and beautiful are the azaleas to be found at Magnolia Gardens and Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site.   This past month I have gone to both places as often as I have been able to with my camera to record this annual pageant of color.   The blooms were just about at peak at the state park today, and on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon the crowds filling the park were the largest I have ever seen.   I can’t blame them for congregating here.  Words don’t begin to do justice to the beauty of azaleas blooming amidst live oaks.   

Each Spring I have felt thankful to have had another season to experience this wondrous sight.   As I get older, I also get wistful that there are not the seemingly unending earthly Springs ahead of me as in years past.  This makes each current Spring that I have to enjoy that much more precious.  I especially love having the opportunity to get some relief from my caregiving duties by being out among Nature’s finest display. Azalea observed close up are almost transparent when the sunlight filters through them.  I get close to them with my camera and marvel anew at their astounding complexity of design and shades of color.   You can see what I am talking about in this set of selected favorite azaleas photos taken this month.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camas/sets/72157633020396999/