We drove to Reelfoot Lake to see the water lilies and got the added bonus of watching a swallow family that was hanging out around the water’s edge.
“In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it.” ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
walking on a country road 
So sweet!
It looked like it didn’t have a care in the world.
I am seriously behind in Reader due to work … your post was the first one from four days ago – oh my You had more luck than I did Rebecca. I returned to Lake Erie Metropark again today to get a glimpse at those water lilies and only a few were out … the size of the leaves and the delicate flowers just amazes me in those lilies. We have a few at Council Point Park, but they are on the other side of the Creek and in an alcove, so no pictures of them are clear. You are lucky to get a barn swallow picture. I must have seen 50 of them swarming around the wooden overlook, but they move so fast that I have given up trying to take their picture. They would never pose for me like yours did. It is amazing all their energy as they never seem to alight or take a break, just swoop and dive.
There weren’t as many lilies out as I had hoped, but we did see some pretty ones. I was lucky to come upon such a content little swallow. He was very happy in his spot. The parent swallows were keeping a close eye on him. 🙂
I was surprised yesterday that more had blossoms not popped up since last week. I guess I’ll make another trip before Labor Day as that is their peak here (July 15th to Labor Day). They sure are pretty though. I one time got a pic of a barn swallow on the ground grabbing nesting materials and I just now remember I was at Heritage Park today and the barn swallows build their nests in the rafters of the covered bridge … it was so hot there today, that I totally forgot about going to the bridge before I left. The swallows move at the speed of sound, but I like their form in the air – so identifiable.
I wanted to get a close up shot of a water lotus once and so put on my chest waders and waded out into the pond. I disturbed the aquatic residents as they hoped away in a gruff manner.
Sounds like they took exception to your presence. Live and learn. 🙂