Reflection

Sunday was also a great day for reflection.  These are from Ridley Creek State Park.

Water Garden

Leaving Austria to snap back to the present for a bit.  School starts soon so we took advantage of one last free day to go Longwood Gardens.  I've mentioned before (at least 5 posts!) how much I like water lilies so of course we made it a priority to stop by the water gardens.  I can't get enough of these enormous platters.

Structure

Two years ago I wrote about visiting Longwood Gardens on a day they were removing lily pads.  That day I was out drawing and didn't have my camera but this time I got it.  The structure underneath these lily pads is so amazing!  And so beautiful.  Many people were out enjoying our unseasonably warm Columbus Day.

Victoria Water Lily Pads

I haven't drawn much, or once, since we got back from Arizona. It's kind of funny to draw everyday for two weeks and then go a whole month without drawing. In fact it's kind of amazing to me that a whole month has already gone by. Today Olivia had a vacation day so we headed out to Longwood Gardens. I've been wanting to draw those lily pads since our last visit when I took lots of photographs. They were working in the ponds, cutting out the lotus plants and generally shaping things up. We got to see the bottom of these huge lily pads. They have an amazing support system. I wish I'd had my camera. But alas, you'll just have to trust me. The first chance you get flip one of these guys over. Just watch out for the thorns.

Longwood Lily Pads

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Inspiration from beautiful aquatic gardens in Washington DC.

Water Lilies

I have a thing for water lilies. I don't really know what the source of this thing is or even what to do with it. But I can't wait until they put the water lilies out at Longwood Gardens. These lilies are from Schedel Gardens in Ohio. Very cool place that I don't think a lot of people know about. The Toledo Zoo also has a great water lily garden between the aquarium and the gorillas. They tend to include some really amazing African varieties. I'm hoping to find one in particular this year. I don't know the name and I can't find my photo this morning but it's very large and appears to be puckered. The puckers are repeated across the surface of the pad. I think I might sew a giant one sometime soon. I would love to know what they are called- in case anyone recognizes my impressive description-ha.