June 25
Rose Bay
(Rhododendron maximum)
This native evergreen shrub blooms in summer along stream banks and in moist woods. It can get to be more than thirty feet tall. The dark green leathery leaves are a lighter color beneath. In severe cold or drought, they roll closed along the center vein and droop. There are terminal clusters of 10-30 flowers. Each flower has five lobes and the largest lobe of each flower has green spots.
Nearby, seemingly suspended in midair, was a Sycamore Tussock Moth (Holysidota harrisii) caterpillar hanging by a five foot long thread from the sycamore tree above. He was twisting and winding himself back up the thread.
(Click on the picture for a larger image)
(Click here for the next painting)