I had considered sharing this photo of this American Lotus on Easter Sunday, but I was feeling a little raw and sad. It was my first Easter without my mother.

Glowing American Lotus in morning light, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaGlowing American Lotus in morning light – Canon R7, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 2000, Canon RF 100-500 mm at 500mm, natural light

I’m still adjusting to life without my mom, but I can hear her telling me to share as much of the beauty I find in nature that I possibly can. Those words inside of me, in her voice, go something like this: “Honey, you have a wonderful gift; share it with the world.”

So, here I am, doing just that.

I took this American Lotus photo last June at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma while visiting my great friend Steve Creek. Steve had loaned me the use of his Canon R7 while I was there recovering and recuperating.

We were on the auto tour loop at the refuge near a tree where the Bald Eagles like to perch next to the river when I took this photo. I liked how the lotus glowed in the morning light while the water below it was still in the shade.

I didn’t get to share this photo, or any of the photos I took while in Arkansas and Oklahoma with my mom. By then she had stopped using any form of communication except talking to me on the phone. So when I did talk to her, I made certain that I was outside where she could hear the birds in the background.

Just a few days after I left to head back to Utah, mom passed away. She sure loved the flowers, birds, scenery, and wildlife I shared with her through my photos and conversations.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.