Water Lily stalks rising from the murky bottom of this pond are reaching the surface and spreading out into pads. These pads are the leaves of the plant; they're also aircraft carriers for dragon flies and food for beavers, muskrats, and deer.
The flowers – the actual white and yellow Water Lilies – will come up on stalks soon. In this climate, these non-tropical varieties bloom only in daylight; they slowly close each afternoon as the sun fades. (Brooklin, Maine)