Rhododendron Bloooms across the area

Wow! The rodo's are blooming in force across the southern Appalachians, including the GSMNP, and have been for several weeks now.
I have seen them along Rich Mtn. trail, Rabbit Creek trail, Ramsey Cascades trail, and others, over the last month.

It's always a pleasure to see folks who are seeing them (native Rhododendron), for the first time, outside of the "modified versions", sold at your local home improvement or garden store.