camellia in NC on December 30, 2012

Thank you, PLG.

I was trying a few new things with the camera while at my son's. My daughter-in-law and I were strolling about the yard.

Lovely! Thank you, RH!

Thank you, Schutkleur.

My daughter-in-law said it was early for them this year. It has been a year of early blooms across the US. Oh, and late (or really early blooms) when the violets bloomed in my front garden here in December.

It`s beautiful, Roseheather.
I used to have camellias as well, but they never flowered before March!!!

We are lucky to be able to enjoy this bloom. If it were any lower to the ground little Miss Nuage would have feasted on it. She is quite a kitty. ; ) When my daughter saw this photo she wrote, "next year, Christmas in NC!"

Besides being beautiful in their own right, camellias are special to me because they were the first flowers I ever enjoyed blooming outdoors on my birthday, the first time I traveled south in winter (Middleton Place gardens in S.C.).