Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Birding the Watergardens

I have linked my post for the first time with Beverly's Pink Saturday click on my link to go and visit. And here is a cute blog and pretty pink post from last Pink Saturday Pink Paper Rose


My hubby and I visited the Lilypons watergardens, a popular place for birding. Birding was my main reason for going there but seeing all these waterlilies and lotus flowers is just a stunning sight.  If you are looking for pond supplies or waterlilies this is the place. They have many colors of both hardy and tropical waterlilies. Over 70 of 260 some acres are used for the waterlilies. It was hot Monday morning so it was a short visit. Some of the birds I saw were the Great Blue Heron, Egret, Canada Geese, Kingbird, Catbirds, Robins, Blackbirds, a Green Heron in flight and many Swallows. I have read that they offered a guided bird walk on their grounds, it is so nice to see a commercial business so inviting to birders. You can walk on your own on the trails or walkways between the large ponds.

























I was amazed at the dragonflies, they were everywhere.






















The lotus flowers are gorgeous.


I was also checking out all the butterflies and moths.




































Redwing Blackbirds were plentiful and noisy.
I just love the color of the waterlily below, it was one of my favorites.

This cute little guy stared at us while we sat on one of the shaded benches.
I am linking up this post with Michelle's  Nature Notes thanks to our host Michelle of Rambling Woods.

And

Click here for Claudia's Friday Finding Beauty  thanks to Claudia for hosting. 

and


Outdoor Wednesday  click on the link to visit Susan's Outdoor Wednesday

and

Check out the critters at Misty Dawn's  Camera Critters

Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope you enjoyed my watergarden post.

66 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Now if this place were closer I would be there.It looks like a lovely place for birds and flowers.Thanlks for sharing these beauties.
Blessings,Ruth

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Fantastic photos.

Darryl and Ruth : )

Little Hatchlings said...

Eileen, these are some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen. I love the lotus pond and the frog the best. Your photography is amazing! Thanks for visiting my blog on Wordless Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful nature photos, gorgeous colors and contrasts, and wonderful perspectives.

Indrani said...

OMG! The frog is so cute. Lovely colors of the lotus. Wonderful nature shots.

Unknown said...

these are fantastic photos Eileen, specially the frog shot.

btw, ..like your new header.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

How beautiful! I love the water lilies, and their colors are just
So many wonderful things to see.

Caron said...

First of all, that frog is the best! But I was thinking mostly about how fortunate the employees are to work in such a place. Do you suppose they have to pay to work there? ;)

Carver said...

What a fantastic post. There is so much to see and you did a great job with the photography. The frog is such a treat. I love frogs.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures! The frog made me smile. I think that is one of the best frog pictures I have ever seen.

jabblog said...

That's a lovely wildlife attraction - no wonder it's popular.

EG CameraGirl said...

This sure does look like a great place to take a camera! WOW!

DeniseinVA said...

You were brave going out in this heat Eileen but your rewards was a very special series of photographs! Your header shot is fabulous!!!!
An English Girl Rambles

FAB said...

Wow, masses of waterlillies, absolutely gorgeous Eileen.

Squirrel said...

The water gardens look like a beautiful place to visit. Great shots!

Maboe said...

Great photos!

Colette S said...

It is so lush and beautiful! I have not seen a butterfly in such a long time!

You take very good photos!!

Elaine said...

What a gorgeous spot to visit and a wonderful collection of shots! I absolutely love the shot of the frog.

diane b said...

What a great place to visit. The pics and the animals are lovely.The water lilies are outstanding.

CailinMarie said...

GREAT photos! I love so many of them - the flowers! the dragonfly, the red winged black bird! Looks like you had a really nice visit.
A belated Happy Outdoor Wednesday
CailinMarie
http://cailinyates.blogspot.com

Phil Slade said...

That looks a lovely place to visit Eileen. Your header picture is brilliant - looks like you shot it in 3D.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Eileen Sweetie..
Oh my gosh what a beautiful share you have today on Friday Finding Beauty. What true beauty you have. This is the most amazing place and I love all of the photos that you have shared.

The dragon fly photo is so awesome. The clarity of its wings. Oh my goodness.

The lotus flowers are so beautiful. I felt as though I could reach right out and touch each petal in your photo. They are so exquisite.

The Redwing Blackbird that was sitting on the cat tail was beyond breathtaking. I love it. I peered right through the cat tails to view him. Oh thank you for sharing this gorgeous trip with me today.

Ofcourse I adore frogs, so this photo has me mezmerized. I cannot thank you enough for sharing these beautiful photos with me. I feel as though I went along too.

I am Country Wings your newest follower. I can't wait to see where you go next and what you might share. You are so talented with the lens of your camera.

Please stop by and let me share my post of today with you. I would be so honored if you signed up to follow my blog as well. I love meeting new friends and sharing.

Country hugs sweetie...Sherry

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Those pink water lilies are phenomenal! Just stunning! Great job on all the photos!

Happy Pink Saturday to you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Regina said...

Welcome to Pink Saturday Eileen.
These are pretty and amazing.

Happy weekend.
xo

A Garden of Threads said...

A great shot of the pink waterlily, I have a yellow one.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Sue McPeak said...

Wonderful photos of the lilies and what a great capture of the frog. Welcome to Pink Saturday.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a beautiful post! Mother Nature is the best artist!! Welcome to Pink Saturday!!

Debbie

Patti said...

This is my first visit to your blog...but it won't be my last.

Your photos are stunning. You truly are gifted with a camera.

Have a lovely day,
Patti (Fill My Cup with Beauty)

Catharina Maria said...

This looks like a lovely place , BEAUTIFUL photos .
love ♥RINI♥

Snap said...

Eileen, what a wonderful place! Thanks for taking us there. I love water lilies. Beautiful post all the way around. That last shot ... stunning!

Cezar and Léia said...

Bonjour sweet friend,
This post is perfect, lovely set of pictures, I love the mix with wonderful flowers and cute critters!That frog is a charming prince for sure!
:)
purrs
Luna - We love Luna

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing photographs! They really are stunning, wish I could take such clear pictures! happy Pink Saturday and welcome!! Marcia

Ebie said...

Oh Eileen! How beautiful, a pond of blooming lotus or lilies! Its a jaw-dropping beauty!

I am going to the lotus festival today and I hope to see tons of them like yours!

Enjoy your weekend!

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

Welcome to Pink Saturday!

I have enjoyed your beautiful pictures so much! I felt like I was with you watching the birds and the FROG! I ADORE that froggie!
Jil

Carletta said...

Wow Eileen! So many beautiful shots and then ending with the expression on that frog's face - what a great capture.
(Carletta's Captures)

Lina Gustina said...

What a great place to visit.
Lotus flowers are very lovely...
The frog face is so cute :)

http://thehappyfamilies.blogspot.com

ksdoolittle said...

Eileen, look at all these wonderful comments! It's clear to see your post today is a big hit with all those beautiful photos! The pink lilies are amazing, and the frog is, of course, darling. I think you should stand up and take a bow! ~karen

cat said...

So many beautiful pictures!
I especially love the frog.
I have a very much smaller frog in my entry.

Sherry from Alabama said...

What a beautiful post for your first Pink Saturday! Welcome!

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

Limarea said...

These are some amazing photos, thanks for sharing them with us :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures. Looks like a great place to visit. Happy Pink Saturday.

Martha Z said...

What beauty you found and great shots.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous sceneries, make me miss Korea.

Hope you can drop by to see my Camera Critters, have a happy weekend.

★Carol★ said...

Looks like my kind of place! I could easily spend a whole day there, just taking it all in, watching the birds and dragonflies flit around. Absolutely beautiful photos!
Welcome to Pink Saturday!
Carol

Simply Debbie said...

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY EILEEN,
THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY TO VISIT ME TODAY.
I JOINED AS A FOLLOWER OF YOUR BLOG...AWESOME PHOTOS...MY MR. SIMPLY AND I HAVE A VERY SMALL POND IN HALF OF A WHISKEY BARREL....WE MUST MAKE A NEW HOME FOR OUR FISH SOON...BUT WE HAD A WATER LILY....WHEN IT BLOOMED FOR THE FIRST TIME I JUMPED UP AND DOWN SQUEALING AND LAUGHING...IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND THEN TODAY I SEE A WHOLE POND FULL OF WATER LILIES...YOUR PICTURES ARE STUNNING BUT I CANNOT IMAGINE SEEING THAT BEAUTY IN PERSON.
I KNOW ABOUT THOSE RED WINGED BLACK BIRDS...THEY HANG OUT AT PARKS WITH PONDS AND GOLF COURSES AND IF YOU GET TOO CLOSE, THEY DIVE BOMB. BUT THE BRIGHT RED ORANGE ON THEIR WINGS AGAINST THAT BLACK IS VERY BEAUTIFUL.
THE FROG IS MY GUY. MY BATHROOM OFF MY LAUNDRY ROOM IS DONE IN FROGS...I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A PICTURE OF THIS...EVEN A COPY SIGNED BY YOU TO HANG IN MY BATHROOM. ON THE BACK OF MY STOOL I HAVE A FROG WITH A CROWN READING A BOOK...
SO I CALL MY BATHROOM THE READING ROOM. YOUR PRECIOUS FROG WOULD BE DARLING IN THERE. I THINK YOU HAVE AN AWARD WINNING PICTURE WITH THE FROG.
I AM SO HAPPY TO MEET YOU.
HUGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Eileen: Wonderful shots near the water and I love the frog the best.

Maia T said...

These are amazing photos Eileen, excellent close-ups of the waterlilies The fog in the last photo is posing for you.

EJ said...

Those lotus are gorgeous!

Chris said...

Hi,
Beautiful post once again and your lotus flowers are sumptuous as well as the pictures of the black bird and the frog... We are living in very different nature world! ;-)

Tricia said...

Welcome to Pink Saturday. Boy, seeing this place through the lens of your camera is a real treat. The waterlilies are beautiful and the wildlife spectacular! We have a great nature center near here where we get such treats as yours from time to time. Have a great day.

Blessings,
Tricia

Gail said...

Welcome to PS. My, oh my, this is a beautiful place, and those flowers, breath taking. Love the critters, too, Mr (or is it Miss) frog looks a bit sad, :( Thank you for sharing the beauty.
Hugs
Gail

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful habitat for all the birds and insects and of course the froggy guy..I wish our pond had more vegetation. I may go and buy some but I know you have to be careful and some isn't winter tolerant.. .Michelle

Al said...

How nice of you to capture all these creatures, I love the dragonfly, it reminds me of my childhood days when I used to chase and catch and let them go again.

George said...

It's hard to believe that you got all of these wonderful pictures at a business establishment. I think they deserve thanks for maintaining this amazing place and for making it available to the public.
I also like the frog!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos! Love the photo of the RW Blackbird in his typical element.
The flowers are so pretty. Love the color!

Dhemz said...

lots of critters for sure....very impressive photos! mine is up too!

http://www.gregdemcy.net/2010/07/10/camera-critters-blue-jay/

Kilauea Poetry said...

Well, I found this post so enjoyable! I love water lilies and how did you know- the elusive dragonfly!! Your captures are delightful- so bright and artistic like your header- fabulous Eileen! Thanks for this treat-

Gill - That British Woman said...

loved all those photos until the last one........hate frogs and toads......icky, icky!!

Gill in Canada

Beverly said...

Welcome to your first Pink Saturday, Eileen. I am so glad you decided to join us.

I have always loved waterlilies, and these are gorgeous. Your photos are stunning.

Kerri Farley said...

It looks like a fabulous place to visit!! LOVE your pics!!

Oh, I see that Lilypons is in Adamstown, MD - how cool!! I don't get to Maryland often but I'm going to put this place on my list to visit!!

Joanne Olivieri said...

The water lily ponds are beautiful. Dragonflies are all over right now and yours is a wonderful shot. It's always so much fun capturing them. Love the blackbird and the frog? He is the essence of this photo essay. Fantastic!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Eileen your photos are so crystal clear! I wish I knew what kind of camera you use and what type of lens to get such wonderul closeups. I love lily flowers -they are so delicate. Beautiful!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely lotus ponds..
what elegant pink flowers.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful captures of the lily pads, pinkness, and froggy.

Ricepatty said...

Oh my! What breath taking shots - there are so many that are my "favorites" but the frog just cracked me up!!! Great job :)

nuts said...

amazing photos! The last photo of prince frog captured my heart..

Happy Monday!

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