A Rose by Another Name

It's that time of year in Morgantown and the surrounding areas where the rhododendrons are peaking.  According to Wikipedia, the name rhododendron comes from Ancient Greek ῥόδον rhódon "rose" and δένδρον déndron "tree."   So, rose tree it is, but it has no scent and thankfully no thorns.

Above: a cluster of blooms shot with an old first model Canon EF50mm f/1.8 ("nifty fifty") lens.

Our West Virginia variety (and state flower) is Rhododendron maximum.  When you see these things everywhere -- and I mean everywhere -- they begin to fade back into the scenery, which is a shame.  Sometimes you need to stop and look at a single bloom in the forest of rose trees.  That's where I come in;  I carry a macro lens.

Above:  closeup of a single rhododendron bloom shot with a Canon EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro lens.

In a field of beauties, sometimes it's better (IMHO) to focus in and admire an individual.