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Nymphaea


Nymphaea
Photo Information
Copyright: Stella Marinazzo (meltemi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 970 W: 206 N: 2385] (8704)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-10-08
Categories: Nature
Camera: Epson PhotoPC 3100z
Exposure: f/3.5
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): * U.S.A. * [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-10 3:40
Viewed: 825
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
During my last trip in the USA I visited the Missouri Botanical Garden, of which you can find other pictures looking here and here .

In that occasion I tried one of my first macro photo on this flower that I found very beautiful.
This species, I photographed, fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata), occurs from Puerto Rico to Alaska and from California to Quebec. Its many subspecies and varieties may be found floating in ponds, lakes and sluggish streams just about everywhere in North America.
Fragrant water lilies are one of the most easily recognized of all the aquatic plants. Beautiful large white or occasionally pink many-petaled flowers float on the water's surface surrounded by large, round green leaves. Mature Nymphaea odorata leaves are often spherical, cleft at the base, smooth to 25 cm across, often purple on the lower surface, with most of the leaves floating. The leaves are attached to flexible underwater stalks rising from thick fleshy rhizomes.

The ancient Egyptians revered the Nile water-lilies, they were considered extremely significant in Egyptian mythology, since them was said to rise and fall with the sun. Consequently, due to their colourings, they were identified, in some beliefs, as having been the original container of Atum, and in similar beliefs Ra, both solar deities. They were the symbol of the Egyptian deity Nefertem. Remains of these flowers have been found in the burial tomb of Ramesses II.

The fragrant water lily was utilized in many ways by Native Americans in the eastern United States. Roots of this and other water lilies were used medicinally as a poultice for sores and tumors, internally for many aliments including digestive problems, and rinse made for sores in the mouth. The leaves and flowers were also used as cooling compresses. In addition, the rhizomes were occasionally used as food and the young leaves and lower buds were eaten as a vegetable. Even the seeds were fried and eaten or ground into flour.

Claude Monet painted many paintings of water lilies. He got the idea because he had a water garden and enjoyed the plants' beauty and difference.

Hope you'll enjoy it.
Cretense, kdialyna, danos, dip, syd1946, TopGeo, photovolos, COSTANTINO, labro33, scobert has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Good morning Stella!

Beautiful, mother nature and a good photographer can make miracles! Some other would pass by this beauty without giving a second look, but you made a wonderful picture with excellent composition and colours. Congratulations!

Ciao, Hercules

Hallo Stella!
Wonderful photo about water lily and title is apt! :-)
Best wishes
Agnes

Hi Stella.
Very nice close-up.
The colors and the DOF is perfect.
I like very much the light which gives to the flower a 3D feeling.
Very good work. Congr.
My regards
Kostas

  • Great 
  • dip Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1561 W: 0 N: 937] (9158)
  • [2007-06-10 10:48]

Hi Stella,
Good clear and sharp your photo with amazing colors.
A lovely composition.I like it.
Regards.
Dimitris.

Hello Stella,

As I read your note, the last paragraph brought this photo to life. Monet spent hours depicting such plants, and I had been thinking of them in first seeing the image. It's beautifully photographed, with the dramatic contrasts of light and dark, the droplets on the leaves, the pistols of the flower, and the colors are all exceptionally well-defined. Your crop also makes the photo appealing, in that the shape is close to a golden rectangle.

Warm regards,
Bulent

Hello Stella,
What a nice macro shot!So wonderful as a composition with the flowers and the leafs.The drops and colours giving all the beauty to the image.I like it very much!

Regards,
Thomas

  • Great 
  • ifanik Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1643 W: 52 N: 3036] (16900)
  • [2007-06-10 16:10]

Hi Stella.
Beautiful flower , beautiful photo
Very nice close-up with nice colours.
congratulations
Nick

ciao Stella ,
bella ninfea ripresa con maestria
come al tuo solito .
Giorgio

  • Great 
  • TopGeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2139 W: 76 N: 3160] (14054)
  • [2007-06-11 1:30]

Good clear and sharp your photo with amazing colors, Stella. Beautiful, nature, and a good photographer can make miracles! Very nice close-up with nice colours of the flower nymfaea with of the drops waters special effects, I lovely this moment where you capture this shot!
Congratu,,,,,Bye Geo,,,,

  • Great 
  • danos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3653 W: 84 N: 5517] (21510)
  • [2007-06-11 4:26]

Ciao Stella,
a splendid view and a well taken capture of the Nymphaea flower.Excellent composition,details and colours. The composition is flawless.Well done.
Regards,Danos

Ciao Stella splendida ninfea, ripresa con grande nitidezza, meravigliosi i colori, brava, ciao Silvio

Ahaaa.Nise work.Particular concern close Up!!
Your picture describe the Natura splendour!!!
So wonderful framed picture!Sharpnes and well balanced...
efxaristo Stella
Yannis.

  • Great 
  • manada Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 722 W: 63 N: 1185] (5847)
  • [2007-06-12 11:30]

Ciao Stella
bellissima composizione, colori naturali e buona luminosità. La nitidezza fa contare ad una ad una le gocce... Brava!
Freddy

Ciao Stella,

Bellissima la tua nymphea che sempra cosi viva con tanti meravigliosi colori.Complimenti
Brava.
Costantino

Hi Stella,
Lovely and simple composition.The big flower stands like a beautiful bride encircled by fragrant water...
Many regards,
George

Ciao Stella,
Beautiful composition with fine colors and superb detals. Lovely flower!
Best regards.
Ahmet

Hello Stella,
I have come across some of your critiques a few times but I have never visited your gallery before. You have a lovely photo gallery with a great variety of images to view. This is a fabulous and razor sharp photo of this water lily. A stunning and beautifully composed image! Beautiful macro shot and first-rate note writing!
Stan

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