I Gotta Be Me

Uploaded: April 15, 2011 04:12:29

Description

The azaleas most American gardens take for granted are largely the work of former National Arboretum director Benjamin Morrison.
Hybridizing colorful delicate azaleas with hardier northern varieties from 1929 and 1954, he ultimately produce 454 new cultivars,
now visible in gardens everywhere. The Arboretum contains a large hillside park featuring some 10,000 of his hybrids planted
63 years ago; some of these old azaleas are now the size of small houses. These thousands form one of Washington, DC's most striking
natural springtime spectacles, when the hillside bursts into bloom in late April.
Here, a white azalea plant has produced a single fuchsia bloom, perhaps due to cross-pollination from a neighboring fuchsia variety,
or a mutation in the white azalea's speckling. Other azaleas here have the same out-of-place variations, such as an entire
branch of one plant producing blooms of a different color than the main plant.
PG101 Out of Place Theme

Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: -0.67, ExposureTime: 1/125 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 70.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi

Comments

Nikki McDonald level-classic April 15, 2011

Could not be more perfect for the season or the theme, Chris. This is a beautiful, fresh capture. Lovely light. #1369537

Joy Rector April 15, 2011

beautiful #9351791

Sarah A. Christian April 15, 2011

Perfect image for Theme Day! It is also an extraordinary capture! HTD! #9351799

Monnie Ryan April 15, 2011

Terrific find and perfect for the theme, Chris! HTD! #9351988

Marcie A. Fowler April 15, 2011

Beautiful. I love how the hot pink one stands out from all the rest. #9352032

Karen E. Baumann April 15, 2011

Wonderful description! Wonderful reminder that Spring is here! Perfect for the theme day! Very nice Chris! #9352127

Mitch Spence level-classic April 15, 2011

Beautiful contrast between the deep pink and white blooms, Chris, and the white ones pick up so nicely that same pink. Lovely spring scene. #9352208

Katarina Mansson April 15, 2011

Ditto to what Mitch said. Beautiful floral and theme entry. HTD Chris! #9352271

David Phalen April 15, 2011

Beautiful light, colors and clarity here Chris!! HTD!! #9352905

Bob Cournoyer level-classic April 15, 2011

Ditto!

Happy Theme Day #9352956

Donna La Mattino Pagakis April 15, 2011

Gorgeous capture of these beautiful blossoms. We had the same type of idea for the theme. HTD! #9353126

Chris Budny level-deluxe April 16, 2011

Thanks everyone... Hope to get back to the Arboretum this spring for the azalea blooming! #9353426

Michelle Alton April 16, 2011

Stunning capture and fascinating back story, Chris. #9353516

Amanda D. Austwick level-classic April 16, 2011

Great contrast in pinks. Great find and Spring capture #9354316

Chris Budny level-deluxe April 17, 2011

Thank you Michelle & Amanda! #9354970

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