Annual Magnolia Blossoms_2014

My annual collection of magnolia blossoms appear below. These pictures were taken in mid-April before a strong cold front, accompanied by high winds, destroyed these blossoms. They were at their peak for only about three days. These pictures were taken when the blossoms were in the morning sun. My wife and I had spent the night grading and were outside for a little while before we went to bed later that morning. We have since turned our hours around and sleep during the night. That pattern may change again as we work through the stacks of grading and prepare to turn in our final grades in about three weeks time.