the following is the text on a plaque describing this plant:
Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera Nymphaceae
Asia and North America
Revered for centuries as a symbol for Buddha and purity, the sacred lotus is a feature in many Japanese gardens. The brief blooms are symbolic of the power of the soul to rise from the muddy waters of evil into the sunlight of a better existence. This vigorous plant, with edible roots and seeds, is also an important food crop in many parts of the Orient.
This photo was taken on June 28, 2006 in Shaw, St. Louis, MO, US, using a Kodak DX6490 Zoom.
This photo is visible to everyone 
Comments and faves
LynchburgVirginia ★, WV Fan, Mc Shutter, joecool4288, and 177 other people added this photo to their favorites.
raineys (72 months ago | reply)
** This was voted a hit from Hit, Miss or Maybe **
kazatzka (72 months ago | reply)
Absolutely lovely colouring!
This was voted a HIT from Hit, Miss or Maybe
dujarandille (72 months ago | reply)
Love the texture and light!
** This was voted a HIT from Hit, Miss or Maybe **
caro1_uk (72 months ago | reply)
A lovely photo!
LynchburgVirginia ★ (72 months ago | reply)
Awesome Rob I wonder where you ran across this? great image.
RobDurfee (72 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the kind words. @Lynchburg - I was in Missouri last week and visited the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis where I shot this as well as about 250 other photos.
WV Fan (72 months ago | reply)
Wow, what a great capture of a beautiful flower. I feel like I could just reach out and touch it.
xanxann (72 months ago | reply)
Brilliant ..nice shot
♥ Annieta (72 months ago | reply)
Very beautiful shot of a very beautiful flower!!
kulkuri (72 months ago | reply)
Very nice shot!
ladyloneranger (71 months ago | reply)
What a prize photo! Lovely, lovely, lovely!
My compliments and applause for this unique Art Treasure. I warmly welcome you to post it to the Guten Tag group! Thank you in advance. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!.........
Josie A. [deleted] (71 months ago | reply)
Lovely!
bobtravis (70 months ago | reply)
Very beautifully done! What a lovely flower...
tollen (68 months ago | reply)
That is the most stunning lotus! Love the graduated colors.
Thank you for sharing in flower thread.
KARMA - "Macro Flower Photography Thread"
Roger Lynn (68 months ago | reply)
I really love lotus pictures - and this one is truly wonderful - thanks for sharing it with us
Your KARMA Group
Stargazer95050 (68 months ago | reply)
Beautiful !!
KARMA - "Macro Flower Photography Thread"
Luv 2 Flickr (68 months ago | reply)
Absolutely gorgeous! Love this.
You are my winner! Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
photoholic1 (68 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous flower and shot. Great work.
simis (68 months ago | reply)
This is very beautiful ... just had to say that (seen in Christian Photographers Discuss)
Roger Lynn (68 months ago | reply)
such a wonderfully beautiful image - nicely captured - thanks for sharing it with us
KARMA - "MOST. . ." thread
stchuck (68 months ago | reply)
Very beautiful. Seen in the Christian Photographer's Most Fav'ed list. I will add another fave to it.
Poet for Life (66 months ago | reply)
A beauty definitely!
kittymax (65 months ago | reply)
WOW! This is just so beautiful! Gorgeous colours and as clear as a bell!
Found while rummaging through your Your Favorites set.
Roger Lynn (65 months ago | reply)
I still like this image a lot - very beautiful - thanks for sharing it with us
I saw this in KARMA - "Explore" thread
Kirsten M Lentoft (65 months ago | reply)
WOW!! This picture is 100% delicious, please join us at Pinkalicious!
*Sabine* (65 months ago | reply)
Beautiful!
Seen in a dicussion of Oh come, all ye faved!. (?)
TMink (65 months ago | reply)
Just perfect. The wonderful color and composition. You knocked this one out of the park. Exquisite.
FlowrBx (64 months ago | reply)
Stunningly beautiful!
Seen in Oh come, all ye faved!
Angela n Alabama (63 months ago | reply)
They said it ^ ....I'm confirming...FABULOUS... :)
This Photo Gets
Two Thumbs Way Up
Please add this amazing photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/2thumbsup/
♥loveberries (63 months ago | reply)
Beautiful!
--
Seen in The World Through My Eyes - Post 2 / Comment Any 1 (?)
Jan's Cat (63 months ago | reply)
What a beautiful macro! Awesome shot!
--
Seen in The World Through My Eyes - Post 2 / Comment Any 1 (?)
Jarrod.Hall [deleted] (63 months ago | reply)
Lovely
The World Through My Eyes
Cat_tac (63 months ago | reply)
Beautiful macro and lovely to have the text as well.The World Through My Eyes
nature55 (61 months ago | reply)
Holy cow, this is so pretty! What a beautiful shot! Thanks so much for sharing!
KARMA - 'Nature55's Field Guide to FLOWERS' thread
Sir Frog (61 months ago | reply)
Beautiful!
Sharon's Shotz (Gangie) (60 months ago | reply)
Simply gorgeous!
luv2photo20 (57 months ago | reply)
Please join and add this great pink photo to EVERYTHING PINK Thanks!
Rose Mist (56 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called LOVELY FLOWERS!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Perfection! Bravo!
Rose Mist (56 months ago | reply)
Lovely & Beautiful!
Seen this amazing capture in
LOVELY FLOWERS!
rich886 (53 months ago | reply)
Beautiful!
designldg (51 months ago | reply)
Namaste,
Your photo is a fusion of Indo-Western ideas and styles, it would be inspiring to have it added to the pool and to have you as a member at:
India Song Group
iLotus (51 months ago | reply)
Sooo beautiful shot !!!
navin chan (51 months ago | reply)
perfect ...its our national flower too..[india]
'-angeLee-' (50 months ago | reply)
beautiful!
Healed By Art [deleted] (48 months ago | reply)
so divine
Jeanie's Pics (46 months ago | reply)
Thank you for submitting this great photo in our weekly challenge. Good luck to you.
Voting is now open. Don't forget to cast your vote on up to 3 photos.
Please check the rules as they have changed.
WTMW ABC's Letter "L" Photo Challenge
If you've already cast your votes in this week's challenge, thank you!
WTMW Admin Team
Jeanie's Pics (46 months ago | reply)
Congratulations!! Your photo has been awarded 3rd Place in the ABC's Letter "L" Photo Challenge in:
Welcome to My World!
Your photo can be found on the group's main page for one week for all members to see. Well done and thank you for entering this week's challenge.
sjarvinen (46 months ago | reply)
Beautiful
Brian M. Whelan (44 months ago | reply)
I can see why this one is so popular, love the colour, Perfect flower, well done.
wkwoo (43 months ago | reply)
You have managed to include a calm feeling into the photo. A fav.