Finalist - Travel Photographer of the Year.
December 2018

Natural World Portfolio Category.

Buds and blossom, old leaves and new - this image encompasses the many facets of a European white waterlily’s life. Young leaves are typically purple or a muted red. As they move upwards through the water column to where they rest on the surface, the top morphs into a chlorophyll-rich green. Later, when they begin to age and wilt they change again, caramelized by the sun into burnt orange and russet. During the long winter months, the leaves die away completely and buds, blossom, stems and stalks all disappear from view.

Photographing their hidden world has been a beautiful revelation. Challenging, interesting and logistically, because of their short flowering season, a choreograph of perfect timing.

Location: Bosherston Lakes, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

Photographer: Laura Storm