It's not a wild azalea ("bush honeysuckle"). It's leaves are more like a Camellia. Double click on the photo and the flowers are cup-like. In late April-early May, there is a time when these cupped flowers fall into the river and float along beside the canoes and kayaks. We later learned: "The Mountain Laurel is perhaps the most beautiful of native American shrubs. Mountain Laurel, a Wildflower, is also the state flower of Connecticut. The Mountain Laurel plant was originally brought to Europe as an ornamental plant during the 18th century. Mountain Laurel is widely grown for its attractive flowers."
