Please excuse me while I further interrupt my St. Marys series. I just have to post these water lily photos now while they are 'fresh.' Here is another from the same pond. I assure those of you who thought that yesterday's lily might be plastic that it was indeed natural, as is this one. I can see why you might think them artificial though, they are just too perfect. My thanks to silverhalide for sending me a link (watergarden.org) that helped me identify yesterday's plant as a Shirley Byrne, though I'm still not 100% certain. I think today's is a Tina water lily, but a William McLane is not out of the running either. I'm no expert. ----- Water Lily Habitat The water lilies are well adapted to their habitat. They grow and live on the edge of ponds and lakes, in the shallow water. The climate of their habitat is usually hot. They grow in areas where there are few plants and because of this, they don't have competition for sunlight. This is very important because sunlight is the main way that water lilies are able to receive food and energy. The water lilies leaves are usually large and are able to store a lot of energy. Water lilies usually live in water that is rich in oxygen and receives a lot of sunlight. Water lilies are in danger because the wetlands are in danger. The wetlands are home to many species and the water lily is included. People are constantly draining the wetlands and do not know the species they are destroying: cattails, beavers, ducks, and water lilies just to name a few. Water lilies are able to reproduce rapidly, but if there is no where to reproduce, (like the wetland) it becomes impossible for reproduction. The Northern Wetlands in Australia are very similar to our very own wetlands here in the US. They have some of the same organisms, including the lily. They also must conserve their wetlands because if they don't they will be in trouble with the law and flood can occur. ----- Many thanks for your bloomin' comments (and the Votes) on my last upload, Water Lily Zoom. I'm overwhelmed by your response to my first real water lily photo! =o]

----- Olympus C-8080WZ & PhotoshopCS. (633)