Click on the photo to see more flowers on FlickrI am compiling my "Best of Water Flowers" photos for the Austin Pond Society 2009 calendar, and so far, this one is my favorite. We re-visited the City of San Angelo International Waterlily Collection on the trip back to Texas from Washington State. It was just as magical as when we had visited previously. The main difference I saw, other than some new lily varieties, was that the large red-rimmed lily pads (Victoria amazonica) that so impressed us last year were not to be seen. I don't know if it was the time of year, or for some other reason, but I missed them.
The other difference I noticed was the number of bees that were busy on the flowers had increased greatly this year. Again, it may be the time of year, but since honey bees are supposed to be disappearing from Texas, I was glad to see them out in force!
Hope this post finds everyone well and in good spirits. I will do my best to get some more photos and stories up soon.
UPDATE: I put some more water lily photos on Flickr with the set title San Angelo Water Lily Display 2008. Please go by and if you'd like, vote on which you think should be submitted for the Pond Society calendar. I would really appreciate your vote!
More later,
Mike Z
PS - Today one of my photos won an award on Flickr! With over 16,000 members in the group, and over 216,000 photos on the site, I am especially proud that someone would take the time to give a photo of mine an award. Thanks, Maisse!
PPS - Yesterday I entered 3 photos in the Austin Pond Society's Annual Calendar Competition, and the photo above won 3rd place in the "animals" category! The photo in the Zilker Japanese Garden post won Honorable Mention in the "ponds and water" category. They will be in the calendar for 2009! I am very pleased that I had these photos chosen for the calendar. There was some very formidable competition! I appreciate all the votes my photos received.
Beautiful specimen, Mike. I like the lighting. Shadows. Cheers Heather
ReplyDeleteI like the colors and shadows, too. The shadows on the lily pad are from the fence surrounding the pond. I noticed them first when I looked at the photos. Funny, but I don't think I noticed them while I was taking the shot. One of my photo mentors says "see the scene as the camera sees it." I still have to learn this, it seems....
ReplyDeleteSo much to post so little time!!
Mike Z
I know what you mean about trying to see what the camera sees. Paul is very good at that. But then again he went to art school for 4 years. :) I think you did a very good job.
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful, Michael - and the 'what the camera sees' shadows made me laugh, remembering it's sometimes hearing what the camera hears!
ReplyDeleteWe were so used to neighborhood sounds in Illinois that we didn't notice an airplane going over or a neighbor cutting his lawn until we saw the tape.
Annie
Annie - glad you stopped by! I went back by the Zilker Gardens Japanese Garden yesterday, and shot some photos and talked with other photographers. What a great time! So there will be another post soon with some more photos.
ReplyDeleteI remember an apartment I lived in while going to college, had train tracks right behind it, with my bedroom just feet from the tracks. I got used to that, amazingly enough...
Heather - My brother-in-law Roland (Tex) is an artist who takes great photos when he goes to Europe with friends. He gets it for sure. You should see some of his photos! I have been BEGGING him to start a 'blog, but he hasn't yet.
To all - thanks so much for checking in with MPMs!