Lotus in Bloom

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

I made my first visit to the Montreal Botanical Gardens about nine years ago. It was early August and the lotus flowers in both the Japanese Garden and the Chinese Garden were in bloom.

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

Two close friends had died the year before, just days after my birthday. We went to Montreal to get as far away as we could from the place we had seen them last. That trip did a lot to boost my spirits, but it was probably the lotus that made the biggest impression.

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

For nine years I pined for a return visit during the month of August to experience them in bloom again. This year it finally happened.

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

Unfortunately, I was only able to bring my digital camera with me. The day was unbearably hot and I was unable to lug a big camera bag around due to a shoulder injury. I’m happy with the digital shots, but of course, as a film lover, I can’t help feeling remorse about the photos I didn’t get to take. After all, it could be another 10 years before I see lotus in bloom again!

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

I’ve put together a limited edition printing of Lotus in Bloom notecards. There are five photos in the set. However, just a warning that we are going on a big trip during the month of December so I will be shutting down the online shop in about a week’s time.

Gayla Trail
Gayla is a writer, photographer, and former graphic designer with a background in the Fine Arts, cultural criticism, and ecology. She is the author, photographer, and designer of best-selling books on gardening, cooking, and preserving.

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8 thoughts on “Lotus in Bloom

  1. That last flower is kinda freaky. Looks like it has a bunch of eyes.

    I actually won two passes from my credit union a couple of months ago to go to the Botanical Gardens here in Denver, CO.

    After seeing this post, I really want to go and take some pictures.

  2. Crafty Gardener: Thanks for letting me know about it. I think they do not have permission to post that content on their site and they need to remove it immediately. It doesn’t matter that credit is given. Permission to use it wasn’t granted.

  3. Good for you to have Montreal Garden’s picture the garden was quite noe 90’s so if we in Ontario start a good garden (academic and recreational)
    Botanical a few year down the road you can snap a photo and put it up right a wayQ!!!!!

  4. Beautiful pictures, Gayla. I love the look and smell of lotus blossoms. I know some botanical gardens post plant info, but some don’t – did you happen to notice which species/varieties you were photographing?

  5. The photos are wonderful. The lotus is so beautiful and I had no idea that that is what the seed pod looked like. As for what Crafty Gardener brought up, I’ve had the same problem with a guy who picks up any blog mentioning f-e-n-g s-h-u-i-e, I spelled it like that to avoid him picking it up. Too strange and what can you do about it?

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