These beautiful seedheads of the Sacred Lotus are one of my favourite things to photograph. Thought the pretty, tropical, flowering shrub in the background created a bit of bokeh to add colour to the image. Macro photo taken in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo on September 26th.

"The pods/seed heads contain the Lotus seeds within little circular chambers on the flat surface of the top of the pod. These circles appeared to cradle the seeds, which are round, within the pod until fully ripe. Both the chamber of each seed and the seed itself got larger and larger until the pod bent over to finally release the seeds into the water."

www.flowersociety.org/lotus-plant-study.htm

Tags:   Macrolicious Top20Greenish Top20#20

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An enormous Sacred Lotus flower, seen at the Calgary Zoo on 11 September 2011. My photo doesn't do it justice, as it makes it look just a medium sized flower. I love these spectacular flowers at all stages - bud, flower and seedpod.

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I have always loved Lotus seedpods, but only ever saw the dark brown, dried ones that you sometimes see in flower arrangements. The one in my photo belongs to an amazing Sacred Lotus that is growing at the Calgary Zoo (not in bloom now).

Tags:   Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Calgary Zoo ENMAX Conservatory nature plant seedhead Lotus Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera bokeh beauty in nature square crop Panasonic DMC-FZ40 DMC-FZ40 FZ40 Lumix point-and-shoot P1160164 FZ40 annkelliott beautiful_expression Macrolicious Explore interestingness#481 explore2011November6

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I believe the whole world will be watching, or stopping to remember, tomorrow (well, I should say today now, as it is after midnight) and remembering the horrific events of 11th September 2001. So many mental images that will never, ever leave our minds and hearts. People from so many different countries, not just the US. So many stories of loss and heartbreak - and so many stories of bravery and heroic actions. Remembering .... all those who lost their lives on that fateful day: all those who lost loved ones and close friends or fellow workers; all those who rushed in to "do their job" or "to help others" in any way they could. Remembering .... all those who were severely injured on that fateful day and who have bravely suffered every day since then; all those Firemen, Emergency Medical people, Police - men and women, who have suffered and continue to suffer emotionally and physically, including illnesses caused by being exposed to harmful chemicals. The list goes on and on. Remembering ... and praying that we never see another day like September 11th, 2001.

Tags:   Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta nature flora flower flowers white tribute 9/11 11th September 2001 11th September 2011 10th Anniversary Remembering Remembrance tragedy suffering loss bravery heroes world-wide mourning Hope for Peace Peace Panasonic DMC-FZ40 DMC-FZ40 FZ40 Lumix point-and-shoot P1180922 FZ40 annkelliott Twin Towers Pentagon United Flight 93 Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Calgary Zoo Conservatory

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Feel like I'm in some humid, tropical setting when I look at this photo - and, indeed, I was : ) No expensive, exotic holiday needed - just a drive over to the Calgary Zoo, on 1st September 2011. Love it when the sprinkler/mister comes on, though it is far from pleasant and comfortable whilst in the butterfly room (open only in the summer months). This is one of the Sacred Lotus seedpods that were there.

Tags:   Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Calgary Zoo ENMAX Conservatory nature plant seedhead seedpod green Lotus Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera bokeh waterdrops sprinkler mister mist beauty in nature Panasonic DMC-FZ40 DMC-FZ40 FZ40 Lumix point-and-shoot P1170169 FZ40 annkelliott beautiful_expression

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