Water lilies at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

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Water lilies at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

July 14, 2016 by Mike Powell

There is something really special about water lilies (g. Nymphaea)—it’s easy for me to understand why impressionist painter Claude Monet was obsessed with them. During my recent visit to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Washington D.C. many of the water lilies were closed up, probably because of the extreme heat of the midday sun, but I did manage to get some shots.

The traditional white water lilies tend to have a calming effect on me. For those folks looking for a bit more passion, there were also some fiery red water lilies.

Posted in Flowers, Gardening, Nature, Photography, Water Lilies | Tagged Anacostia, Canon 24-105mm, Canon 50D, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, Monet, Nymphaea, Washington D.C., water lilies | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on July 14, 2016 at 9:53 am | Reply kenneturner

It’s hard to avoid taking photos of water lilies.
- on July 15, 2016 at 5:31 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Amen!
on July 14, 2016 at 12:16 pm | Reply sally

These are beautiful! !!! Did you take Ivone with you? She has been wanting to go and afraid to go on her own.
- on July 15, 2016 at 5:30 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  This was a totally unplanned trip on a Monday afternoon, so I didn’t have the chance to invite Ivone. Perhaps I’ll be able to go again sometime soon with her.
on July 14, 2016 at 5:20 pm | Reply shoreacres

The first photo looks as though the lily is made of satin — stitched an filled, like a piece of fabric art. It’s beautiful.
- on July 15, 2016 at 5:28 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. It struck me that there was a three dimensional feel to the lily, but did not think in terms of fabric art.
on July 14, 2016 at 5:52 pm | Reply svtakeiteasy

Always nice to see lilies.
- on July 15, 2016 at 5:26 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris. I am lucky if I get to see them a few times a year.
on July 14, 2016 at 6:22 pm | Reply Helen Cherry

They are one of my favourite plants.. great examples here Mike
- on July 15, 2016 at 5:26 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Helen.
on April 3, 2022 at 12:37 pm | Reply whatnext108146aea41f

I know a lot of our “mentors” out there in the art world tell us to find a niche and stick with it, but I agree that trying something new and stretching our creativity is a good thing, too. I love these artsy images!
- on April 3, 2022 at 2:52 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I know that many professional work hard to develop a “brand,” a signature look that is uniquely theirs. For those of us who are amateurs, though, I think it is much more fun to dabble in different areas. What I especially like to do with my photos is share a view of the world as I experience it. I am by nature curious, so lots of things attract my attention. Almost anything can have “stopping power” for me. i.e. something that will cause me to pause for a moment and attempt to photograph it.