The Epipactis helleborine are emerging in NEPA, some Oxalis, and there is a pretty Waterlily pond nearby

It looks very peaceful.

Jim

Look at all those beautiful waterlilies, too!

Beautiful lily pond!

Normally there would be Cows next to the pond, I don't know where they were this time.

Beautiful! Do you think someone planted those pink lilies? I thought the native ones were always white or yellow. Maybe I am thinking of lotus, it has been so long since I saw a pond in the northeast.

Alice, I couldn't swear to this, but my guess is that they are natives. I have seen them in other local ponds too.

Beautiful and peaceful, Ursula. Would make a pretty oil painting.

You mean like this?
Not a Monet, but painted by my Husband's Cousin.

That's not bad, Ursula. I have to give him (or her) some credit.

Jim

I will tell him!
He started painting after he retired and he is quite good in painting nature scenes, not copies. But he did a couple of years ago Monet's Lady with parasol, it is really nice. Actually, he painted it twice and gave me one of them.

Very nice painting. Tell him great job!

For the first time in nearly 70 years, a full moon coincides with the summer solstice and this is what it looked like here in Odessa:


Now for the quiz of he day: I drive by these two trees every day on my way to the gym and since they are in full bloom now, and I remembered to take my camera this morning, I got these shots. I know what they are but I'll let you folks guess for a day. Here is what you need to know: They are not common here. In fact these are the only two I know of in the area. They have bright yellow flowers , usually in June, and can be multi-trunked. They have a cousin that is more tropical and has red flowers. Tabebuias bloom in early spring and golden rain trees bloom in the fall so it is not either of those. OK, take your best shot.



Jim

C'mon Jim, you gotta try harder than that. (edited to add) You gave me too many hints.

Just what I was gonna say

Yeah, the cousin of a more tropical red one was the big hint. The Royal Poinciana is very popular in south Florida but we don't have them here. This yellow version does well around Tampa but not many folks know about it. These two trees are just gorgeous.

Jim

They are gorgeous and I love that huge shot of the moon!
I am glad you identified these trees as I was about to mumble something about Senna....

Great picture of the moon. I wanted to see what they were calling the "Strawberry Moon" but I fell asleep instead and it doesn't look like I missed any pink reflection.

I think I need new glasses. I didn't jump on that tree because I couldn't see it's leaves well enough.

The Epipactis helleborines are budding along the walk way in Lackawanna County, PA!

We also saw a couple of decent plants of Platanthera lacera in bud, courtesy of the Master Orchid spotter! The pictures aren't too sharp, I couldn't really see what I was shooting in that glaring sun. Thought I show you the habitat, looking for budding Orchids on that slope is worse than looking for a needle in a hay stack.