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Water Lilies

 "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." ~Rumi 

Throughout the world, water lilies are symbolic of purity, innocence, love, hope, peace truth, goodness, beauty, enlightenment, good fortune, rebirth, life, resurrection, and more. Various cultures honor and respect the presence and beauty of water lilies. 

There is a Native American legend that says water lilies were once a star that fell to the earth and upon striking the water, transformed into a blossoming flower. 

Enjoy How the Water Lily Came to Be an Ojibwa Story Retold by Linda Skinner, Illustrated by Ramona Mason, Calligraphy by Susan Scheet.

Water lily quotes from around the world:

"I have shaken loose. Like the lily, I rest on the deep water's surface. Not knowing the journey's end, I rest in nature's embrace."
~Patricia Robin Woodruff

"If beautiful lilies bloom in ugly waters, you too can blossom in ugly situations."
~Matshona Dhliwayo

"Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb. Brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to roll, sand, snakes, huckleberries and hornets; and any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived of the best part of education."
~Luther Burbank

"It took me time to understand my water lilies. I had planted them for the pleasure of it; I grew them without ever thinking of painting them." ~Claude Monet

Water lilies are a stunning enhancement to any pond, blooming in a range of colors including pink, white, yellow, orange, and red. Some varieties even transition through different pastel shades as they mature. Beyond their decorative appeal, water lilies play a vital role in the pond's ecosystem by supporting biodiversity. They provide food and shelter for a variety of inhabitants, such as aquatic insects, amphibians, mammals, fish, and birds.

It is important to understand the role of water lilies in the pond ecosystem and learn how to manage them effectively to prevent drawbacks that may lead to fungal diseases or excessive growth, which can result in flooding.

A short video on How to maintain fishpond water lily pads, water lily care

In closing, I'd like to share a short poem I wrote while photographing water lilies at the Piney Orchard Nature Preserve in Odenton, Maryland. 

pure, refined, emerged
lovely starry blossoms
placidly grace still waters
born of wisdom
compassion dawns
suffering alleviates
hope awakens
newness of life arises
adorned in gratitude 
~Jen


Exploring the World Day-by-Day; Capturing Nature's Wondrous Display! ~Jen

Despite the differences that exist between political, cultural, religious, or national values, we all share the common need for a healthy, clean, sustainable global environment.

All photos were taken in Maryland, USA.
In celebration of artistic expression, each photo was edited with liberty to create a unique charm.


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