Genus: Nelumbo

Spectacular catch!

there are lotus that grow in the sub-arctic...I was surprised to learn that ...but there are also orchids that grow in the high north temperate zone! The pods and the leaves are wonderful but the flower is to di for.lol.

I love to use the dried seed pods in flower arrangements, they look awesome.

Mark, I'm sure you've gotten many many blue ribbons for your lovely Begonias ! It's first place. You get a blue ribbon with first place, red ribbon with second, yellow with third, pink I think is fourth and so on. I used to be in 4-H. I showed my horse.

Wonderful, I must agree with David: amazing/breathtaking!
I must ask what's a blue ribbon? just out of curiosity.

Truly amazing/breathtaking pic!

O wow, I havn't gotten a blue ribbon in years and years !! Thanks Mike. Actually I was just in the right place at the right time. I really lucked out. It helps to have 40+ hummers buzzing your yard every day of the sumemr too. They love my yard. I have a few other flower pics with hummers in that I'll post in a while.

FANTASTIC photo. I have hummingbirds visiting my yard frequently in the summer and I've never been able to capture one in a photo like this. I'm awarding you a blue ribbon for this one :)

O Wow how Sweet is that little bird :D