Azaleas in November

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 10, 2010

I thought I'd post something pretty after yesterday's disaster and the big hole on Tuesday. I noticed these azaleas compellingly in bloom just as I was leaving town. I didn't get a chance to poke around and see how many other plants were in bloom around Astoria, although I saw a mint plant with a couple of small purple flowers, and I noticed that some nearby twigs had bright green buds on them. I didn't know azaleas had two seasons, so I looked it up onilne.

Apparently, if it's first been cold and then warms up, the buds that have already formed in anticipation of spring will sometimes open. It was unseasonably cold for days and days on end at the beginning of November. I can't remember, but it may have started in October. Then, yes, it warmed up for awhile.

My question is, what happens to next year? Does the plant form a second set of buds? I certainly hope so, because I'll be unhappy if spring comes and the azaleas are all bloomed out from November.

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Theme Day (Changes): "Cloudy and bright"

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 9, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FELLOW BLOGGERS AND FRIENDS!

What can I say? The colors and effects of weather and light on the river are breathtaking and ever-changing. I never get tired of looking when the river is in one of these moods. You may have to enlarge this one to get the full effect.

This was originally going be my post for January 2, until I realized that the City Daily Photo Theme Day was "Changes." My original January 1 photo will post tomorrow.

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A November rainbow

Warrenton, Oregon ~ November 11, 2009

I cross this bridge to get to the gym on the other side of Youngs Bay from Astoria, and on November 11th, just as I was about to go inside, a huge rainbow formed a perfect arc from horizon to horizon over the river (between my vantage point and the city of Astoria, seen on the hill behind the trees). With the buildings behind me, I couldn't step back and get the whole arc in the picture. It was glorious, as it had been raining hard. In fact, often the bridge gets harder rain than on either side of it. Don't ask me why, but it must have something to do with the river.

The mailboxes on the left appeared earlier in this blog, and this photo of Astoria was taken only a few feet away from today's photo, although it looks so different. This pic was also taken from near the spot, but facing to the right.