Yellow Lotus

Yellow Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) with dragonflies - July, 2013

Native throughout the Ozarks and much of the rest of North America, Yellow Lotus is commonly referred to as a water lily along with other true water lily species. Dragonflies were competing heavily for space; in this image, a common Whitetail Skimmer (Libellula lydia) has claimed space on the stalk of an open bloom. Another is airborne to the right near the unopened bud, circling to compete for the same bit of real estate.

yellow lotuswater lotuswater lilynelumbo lutean luteawhitetail skimmerdragonflydragonflieslibellula lydia