Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

This post about Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens spans two visits. The first in mid-September was curiosity, reconnaissance… it was also at high tide which limits your ability to see most of the park as paths are submerged in water. The aquatic gardens in mid-September were still vibrant green but their gorgeous lotus flowers, which bloom in June, were sparse and a bit worse for wear. They were still enchanting, making it very understandable why some would opt to tattoo their likeness on their body. I vowed to return soon with my rubber boots and telephoto lens.

But alas, I wouldn’t be able to get there again until early October, when the lotuses and their gorgeous fronds bid farewell. Though I remembered my boots, I was not as delighted with the ponds given nature’s cycle.

But I would make a mission out of it. There was still much to see, like the dew on this lotus stem–filled with tearful eyeballs.

And Fall’s blossom of color along the boardwalk. I hadn’t been seeing much Autumn action. It is not like last year when I was basically a housewife who had daily adventures in Western NY. I longed for that Fall feeling, as evident with my pumpkin baking splurge when I was last home.

I go for the reds. This was like the exact color of my hair in high school.

Each turning leaf is its own masterpiece.

Then this Great Egret showed up feeding in the ponds. He graciously allowed me to watch and photograph him for quite awhile.

I was trying to get his reflection and succeeded.

What a cool bird, just snatching things out of the pond.

It was a pretty visit, but I hope to go back when the lotuses start blooming.