Mountain Laurel

The mountain laurel is in full bloom at Nipmunk State Forest,

 a 9,000 acre forest in Northeast Connecticut. My DH and I visited this week. 

Each flower is one bowl-shaped petal that has 10 indentations, each with a red dot. 

I love these flowers.

While there, we met this little fellow. He peeked out of his shell like this, 

but wasn't taking any chances.