This is my first post here. Shot these recently at Roan Mountain on the NC - TN border. The rhododendrons were in prime condition but the wind and fog refused to relent. I went back a couple of days later but the conditions were even worse.
Hi, Dale, and welcome. I noticed from the exif data that these were taken on 6/18. My wife and I were in Banner Elk/Beech Mountain that same weekend. I think we shared the same weather.
We have lived in NC for 30 years, and have never visited the mountains when the rhodos were in bloom. Guess what? There was not a rhodo to be found in bloom anywhere near the area we stayed.
When we are in that area, we generally head over to Roan Mountain, and also visit Elk River Falls. It's only 20 -30 mins. from Banner Elk. Even with the fog/clouds, it looks like you hit peak blooms there. It seems incredible that just that short distance would make such a difference. Now I am kicking myself for not going.
I was up there last weekend and only a week after peak--they were all gone. A few here and there left around. I think the rhodos around Beech probably went out before the ones on Roan, considering Roan is another 500 feet up at the peak.
Really beautiful flowers, too bad the weather wouldn't let up! Last weekend it rained all night on us.
Ed, Roan surprised me last year when I went too early, based on peak blooming on Sugar Mtn, and found that there were no blooms at all. I suppose it's all about the elevation although Roan seems more severe than elevation alone would suggest.
