Here are three pictures of an amazing lotus blossom taken last weekend on the North Fork of Long Island in the town of Mattituck. My friend and I were driving through farmland towards the pebbly beaches along the LI Sound and stumbled across a huge bog covered with lotus leaves and chock full of huge pink blossoms. We came to a screeching halt of course and started shooting. I'm not sure of the botanical name of this particular species. I'm also not sure if the bog was planted or naturally occuring, but I like to think it's been there since time immemorial. Anyways, I thought your viewers might enjoy the pictures.
Nelumbo nucifera. Planted, as it is an Asian species - the American species N. lutea has white or yellowish-white flowers.
What spectacular flowers and such delicate shading. I've never seen a lotus blooming in person yet. Something to look forward to. A whole swamp full of these must have been stunning.
The fruit are, but not the flowers. Fruit pic: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nelumbo_nucifera5.jpg