Not far from Khabarovsk there is a reserved lake with lotuses growing on it. It is also called «Lotus Lake».
There are several types of lotuses. We, in the Far East, are growing a relict species of lotus — the Komarov Lotus, the largest and most ancient species. It is already over 100 million years old!
And also the Komarov Lotus and the most frost-resistant. This plant can withstand temperatures up to -40 degrees. It is important that the temperature in which the plant «hibernates» does not drop below about +4 degrees Celsius.
But even if the silt freezes, which sometimes happens, the lotus seeds will leave in a few years and again the lake will be covered with an amazing carpet of these beautiful flowers.
To get to the Lotus Lake, you need to go through the «road of heroes». It is possible to drive along it only in some areas. So wear flip flops, crocs, galoshes and go. It is better to leave the car by the side of the road. And it’s good that the road is impassable! So there is a chance that the relic flower will please the eye for a long time.
On both sides, the road is surrounded by a «fairy-tale» forest with small swampy lakes and puddles. Birches and aspen trees, with trunks covered with green moss.
After a little more than a kilometer, we finally find ourselves in a fairy tale. In the early morning, the lotuses are just beginning to unfold their soft pink petals towards the sun.
Usually the time of flowering falls on the last days of July — early August. At the same time, you can see buds, and blossoming flowers, and stamens with fallen petals.
The fallen petals on this large green leaf look like a light pink blanket under which a little fairy fell asleep.
Or they resemble the folded wings of a beautiful bright butterfly.
You can read about the meaning of a flower, its symbolism and other descriptions in reference books and encyclopedias. And we just offer you to enjoy viewing beautiful photos of beautiful flowers.
The lake is not all covered with lotuses. The lake itself is large.
And lotuses occupy only a small part. But, areas of new conquests are visible. If a person does not intervene, then after a while most of the lake will be covered with these flowers.
Don’t you feel that now a chair will appear out of the water, on which the Turtle Tortila sits and sings his song for Pinocchio?
The tortilla, of course, did not come out to us, but the frogs were jumping over the leaves. It’s a pity that we dived very quickly and didn’t want to get into the lens.
What a palette of pink — from almost raspberry to delicate pastel shades!
I don’t know what the lotus flower smells like, and does it smell at all?
In order to smell, you need to hold the flower in your hands. And my hand will never rise to harm such a miracle.
There we even met a Khabarovsk artist who was sitting in the shade on the shore and painting a landscape with lotuses.
There are also seagulls, herons and cranes living on the lake. We saw them. Just on the other side of the lake.
There are flowers even with a lilac tint.
There are still many unblown buds.
By the way, do not forget to bring some remedy for blood-sucking insects with you. Otherwise, you will not be able to enjoy the beauty.
This time we used a repellent and all the pliers flew around us.
And this is how the Lotus Lake looked on our trip in the past, 2017, year. The day was not sunny.
Rather, with variable clouds, the sun was practically not visible. Therefore, many flowers did not fully open.
But, the brighter the palette of pink is visible.
It would seem that the same Lotus grows in one place, but what a riot of colors!
And in size — you can see both huge practically open «caps» and small buds.
The best part is that you can admire both flowers and ripening seeds at the same time.
Careful, don’t wake the fairies!
Fairies live in every flower!
Huge leaves blanket the lake’s waters to warm the roots and seeds on cold winter days.
Green lotus fruits, in which new seeds will ripen later.
The spider decided to embellish the beauty!
And in this perspective, even an orange tint is visible.
Lotus flowers are beautiful in any weather!
Here is such a wonderful flower growing here, in the Far East. Listed in the Red Book.
Therefore, a huge request to everyone — please, admire this miracle from the shore, do not tear the bouquets — they are dying before our eyes, do not climb into the water to take a selfie with a relic flower — you can disturb the root system and the flowers will die!