The Lovely Magnolia

We used to see them all over Capitol Hill. I particularly remember the large magnolia trees by the House Office buildings. We passed by them almost every day on our morning walk towards the US Botanic Garden and the Mall. Magnolia leaves and branches also make wonderful Christmas decorations. Since we moved to northern Virginia last year, our morning walks take us to the neighborhood park that is just a couple of blocks away. But in the heat of summer we drive over to avoid the intense sun of the more urban sidewalks with little tree cover. Next to the parking lot was a lovely magnolia tree with every stage of bloom - except I forgot to snap a bud. What was most interesting is the close up shot. It looks like a bunch of worms - not as appealing as the distant view. The leaves are almost as pretty as the flowering petals. Anyway, there is something very southern about the magnolia. Apparently there are many different variations. But these are the ones that remind me of Capitol Hill.