Bill and I headed into Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens yesterday morning. I’d heard that the lotuses (Nelumbo nucifera) were blooming early this year – and I needed to test out one of my cameras that had been out for repairs. The gardens are located in Washington, DC and are part of the National Capital Parks – East, a collection of parks, parkways and sites in DC and Maryland.
The lotuses were absolutely spectacular this year. Here are some of my favorite photos from yesterday’s visit to the Aquatic Gardens.
As usual, there were plenty of bees at the gardens – I was really pleased to capture this pair in my photo. They had been flying in and out of the blossom for a few minutes when I took the photo.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Looking down into the center of newly opened lotus blossom. I love the color and texture of the seed head.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
And finally a lotus that had just begun to open up it’s petals
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Along the edge of one of the ponds, I found a member of the mallow family. I love the bright bold colors of the flower. I haven’t been able to identify what variety of mallow or hibiscus this is. Does anyone recognize it?
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
And finally a pink water lily
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I try to visit Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens at least once a summer. The flowers are always wonderful and every time I visit, I find something wonderful to photograph. I’m hoping to visit the gardens at least once more this summer.
I was just thinking about visiting this place! While I was trying to find some pictures of the Aquatic Gardens, I came across this blog. Great pictures! And this was recent, too. This makes it easier for me to make up my mind where to spend my next weekend 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for the most beautiful pictures. I was researching about how back in 1952, a lotus seed of 1,000 years ago blossomed both in Japan and the US at Kenilworth Garden, and was looking for pictures from this garden to share it with my teacher in Japan. The lotus flower is not only unique in that it flowers and fruits simultaneously but also in its beautiy. Your pictures convey that so wonderfully. Thank you very much again.
You probably don’t care anymore 200 years later but it’s Luna hibiscus on your photo.