Lotus Bud

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Lotus Bud
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3082 W: 231 N: 5811] (19540)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-07-23
Categories: Water Plants
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/5.5, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Hong Kong
Theme(s): water lily [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-03 22:00
Viewed: 1920
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this picture at a lotus pond in Hong Kong Park. One thing I like it about this shot is that it shows three stages of the lotus bloom.
After the bud blossoms and the petals fall off, the disc-shaped pod containing the seeds will emerge. The brown disc on the far right shows the pod after the top has dried up and dropped off.

While in China, we are often treated to candied lotus seeds to eat as snacks. Lotus seeds are also often found in soups. A very popular dish is lotus roots sliced thin and stir-fried. It has the texture of celery.

As a child, I used to cut a lotus root in half. The cross section has a radial pattern of holes and makes a great "stamp" when you cover it with colorful paint.

My Hong Kong Travelogue

Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera

The plant

Lotus is a water plant growing in the mud of shallow ponds, lagoons, marshes and flooded fields. It is native to parts of the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Guinea. It can grow to a height of up to 6 m depending on the depth of water.

Rhizomes - firmly anchored in the mud beneath the water surface, the lotus plant has long stems to which the leaves and flowers are attached. The crisp rhizomes are eaten in a variety of savoury dishes in Asia. The rhizomes are pocketed with air tunnels so that, when sliced, each disc looks like a piece of Swiss cheese or a snowflake.

Leaves - disc-shaped and up to 90 cm wide. They either float on or protrude above the surface of the water. They have long leaf stalks that are scattered with small bumps. Both leaves and leaf stalks are eaten as vegetables in Asia.

Flowers - large and attractive with lots of petals. They tend to be rosy-pink or white coloured. They are sacred in Buddhist and Hindu religions and are frequently represented in South Asian art and literature. They are sometimes eaten as a vegetable in Asia.

Seeds - hard and dark brown. They can vary in shape from round or oval to oblong. They are sometimes eaten in India. Lotus seeds are also the oldest viable seeds ever recorded (1300 years old).

Source
livios, Matt-Bird, earthtraveler, Silke, scottevers7, Evelynn, kjpweb, marhowie, mikou, uleko, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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To marhowie: Chinamanyee 1 08-06 09:04
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2309 W: 324 N: 4312] (16848)
  • [2007-08-03 22:19]

Manyee, sharpness is really amazing!

Besides, lovely colors, excellent composition and slightly blurred bg.

I also enjoy saturation and contrast.

Congratulations on your note too.

Excellent image Manyee!
The composition, lighting, detail and your depth of field is a well balanced combination!

Cheers!
Elton

Hello Manyee,
Such a sharp and clear photo. The sunlight is just perfectly located on the flower and brings out the structure of the petals well. Good POV and composition,
regards
Matt.
Smiley tomorrow.

Beautiful composition Manyee. Such sweet color and form make this a pleasure to view. Kudos
Richard

Hello Manyee,
Well done in Hong Kong;-)
Please don't cut all lotus roots in half in Hong Kong:-)
Greetings and TFS
Annick

Hi Manyee
Very nice lotus, light and colour is perfect.
REgards.

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 745 W: 107 N: 1682] (5274)
  • [2007-08-04 4:22]

Delightful composition and fabulous details. Yes I too like the three stages all together here
TFS
silke

This is beautiful, the composition is lovely. I love the Lotus, thanks for the note, that was interesting.

Hi Manyee,
Excellent shot on the Lotus in its various stages. Beautiful color saturation and nice sharp detail. I realy like the way the light falls across this scene. Looks great!
scott

Well that is about as sharp as you can get. It's a wonderful presentation of the the three life stages. Wonderful color.

Give A & A and baby a hug for me... if you haven't left already.

Safe travels

Evelynn : )

A beautu! Like the composition along with the notes! Bravo for a well done image! Cheers, Klaus

Love this light and the color is very nice ManYee.
Excellent detail, sharpness, POV, DOF, and composed well..So how long are you on this China tour?? I can only imagine what it's like over there..I bet your having the time of your life :)
Very well done.
Howard

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 903 W: 79 N: 1362] (5261)
  • [2007-08-06 6:18]

Hi Manyee.
Beautiful composition with this very nice flowers.Pretty sharp details,amazing colors and wonderful light.Good Luck.
TFS and best regards Milos.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2295 W: 163 N: 6692] (21138)
  • [2007-08-10 7:35]

Hello Manyee,
I love this flower and it is wonderful to see the full and empty seed pods as well - they're all so beautiful. Excellent capture, great DOF, sharp details and lovely colours.
I like your informative note too!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Adam73 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 5 N: 500] (2069)
  • [2007-08-17 15:51]

You know what Manyee, you were always a great photographer when I met you but I can see improvements in your recent photos that make your great photos even greater. your exposure here is dead on, the DOF is perfect and your eye for composition and art has always been there. Beautiful shot and great work handeling the light.

-Adam

Hello Manyee,
a Lotus blossom very well presented in clear colours and fine details together with its nuts. Delicious shades of green in the background, and also the water repellent waxy surface of the lotus leaves is clearly shown here. Nice, well informing presentation. Thank you!
My best regards,
Peter

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