Sunday morning I did my weekly walk along the railtrail and Poor Farm Swamp which was my last post. On the way home I passed the lotus pond that I have visited for years. It is owned by a very nice lady who is getting on in years and much of her property is now maintained by others who look after her. She is very sweet and Mary Beth knows her from the Amherst Orchid Club meetings. A few years back, while I was photographing, she arrived home and parked in her drive to get her paper. She apologized for getting in my shot…which she had not…but it made me smile as it was my privilege to shoot there and for her to apologize seemed a bit unnecessary. As I mentioned, she is very sweet. 🙂
The pond is flowering late this year, I think as a result of a spring dredging, but they are really starting to perk. 
However, the flowers are not the only attraction. The leaves are quite lovely and provide a lot of interest through the season. Here is one from Sunday.
One from an Autumn frosty morning.
A little something from my distant past.
Just kidding…but it is an older image. And, finally, back to the flowers and an abstract bud shot.
In the next few weeks, I hope to do a little more at the pond. And just to show that even when you cross the street to get back in the van, there might be something worth looking at, here is a little dogbane beetle that was checking out the photographer.
Hello!
Whew. That’s a lotta stuff. I may not be able to post for a few days now. 🙂
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
You’ve done it again Steve, six smashing shots showering us with sunshine.
The beetle is very colourful. The story of the lotus lady added a nice human touch.
LikeLike
Thanks, Rod. I was trying to think of another Looney Tunes ending but no go. She really is quite lovely and one of the orchid club folks created a prize winning orchid hybrid and named it after her. I am glad she is still able to enjoy her pond so much.
LikeLike
Everyone that photographs needs a lotus lady. She sounds like a very thoughtful person. I like this nice grouping. The brown seed pod is a favorite. But all of these as usual are way above par.The blue bug is a gorgeous color. I can never achieve a nice blue color unless I use a polarizer or photograph in the shade.
LikeLike
Thank you, Yvonne. Yes the blue beetle is very colorful…iridescent actually with that nice metallic exoskeleton. Here is an old image from my website so you can see just how colorful they are…. http://stephengingoldphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Insects-and-Related/G0000wd5cHKWzYfY/I0000DZAFPVeSAn8
Yes, I like the image with the dried pod and the “tie-dyed” dried leaf in the background. It is quite far out. 🙂
LikeLike
Fantastic coloring of the beetle. The macro is excellent. I’ll have to look around that part of your web page. Thanks.
LikeLike
These are just incredible Steve, the detail and color in these images are amazing, well done !!
LikeLike
Thanks very much, Bernie.
LikeLike
How spooky, I bought 2 bunches of lotus flowers yesterday with the idea of making a painting of them today. Lotus is obviously very ‘in’ at the moment! What a kind, good-hearted lady, how nice that she didn’t mind you photographing her flowers.
That beetle is outrageous! What a handsome fellow. I like the leaf shots very much, especially the very green, veined one. It has a very restful quality about it. Great photos Steve 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Lottie. Are they “in”? I didn’t know but they are certainly worthy of the interest. I hope you will share your painting when completed. It is always fun to see all the different ways people can view a subject. Yes, that species of beetle is quite amazing, almost like a beetle aurora. 🙂
LikeLike
A very touching anecdote, Steve. Shame there aren’t more Lotus Ladies around. I like the abstract bud image very much and the peeping beetle is fun and a very fine photo.
LikeLike
Yes, she is a very kind woman, Andrew. I hope she has many more years in her although she is failing. The world would be a much better place were there more of her lovely character in the populations.
LikeLike
Absolutely fabulous series, Steve. Very strong photos, alone and together.
LikeLike
Thanks very much, Bente.
LikeLike
I just love the close-up #2, 3 and 4 – especially #4 is very creative 🙂
Sounds like you, the pond and the Lady will have some fun in the near future – looking forward to the pics already!
LikeLike
Thank you, Sandra. I am hoping so. Now if only the frogs will be cooperative. 🙂
LikeLike
Homer tells of Odysseus visiting the land of the lotus-eaters. Wikipedia adds that “the lotus fruits and flowers were the primary food of the island and were narcotic, causing the people to sleep in peaceful apathy.” It’s clear you weren’t sleeping during your visit to the land of the lotus lady, though nature photography can be a sort of narcotic.
LikeLike
They have just the opposite effect on me, Steve. If I am feeling apathetic a visit there fires my creative juices.
LikeLike
Wonderful images, Steve! Every one of them. Your macro work really shines and these are some lovely macro intimate portraits…
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Greg.
LikeLike