Monday, August 14, 2017

Sunflowers and Water Lilies

Water Lily from the Italian Gardens at Biltmore  7/31/17
George and I just 'had' to stop by the BILTMORE ESTATE in Asheville,  North Carolina, on July 31, 2017,  so that we could see their Italian Gardens  (Water Lilies and Lily Pads) and their Sunflowers....We were on our way to Virginia  (Shenandoah National Park) for a few days to celebrate my big birthday.

We have season's tickets to Biltmore ---and love to visit there about 4 times a year in order to see their different flowers in bloom in different seasons.   Going in July/August each year is a tradition since we never tire of seeing the Sunflowers and Water Lilies --along with the Walled Garden and the Conservatory.   Since we were heading on to Virginia,   we didn't stay longer than about 3 hours ---but we got to see everything we had planned to see.   Hope you enjoy today's pictures...


Beautiful Red Colored flowers  (unknown plant) in the water at the Italian Gardens at Biltmore 7/31/17



Water Lily from the Italian Gardens at Biltmore  7/31/17



I like this grouping of the tall Water Lilies. Look at those huge leaves!!!!   7/31/17  



Water Lilies from the Italian Gardens at Biltmore  7/31/17


Love the Color of these Lily Pads  7/31/17



Unique Lily Pads for sure!!!!  7/31/17



Water Lilies from the Italian Gardens at Biltmore  7/31/17



Love love love these Lily Pads;  Let's hop on and take a ride!!!!  7/31/17



After leaving the Italian Gardens,  we stopped here at one of our favorite places on the lake to get some pictures of the BACK of the huge Biltmore House,  before checking out the Sunflower Fields...  7/31/17



Here is one more picture from that area showing the sky reflections on the lake (with the Biltmore House in the distance).   7/31/17



The Sunflower Fields at Biltmore are now long and narrow---so we could enjoy them from the road for a long time...  HOWEVER,  I used to like taking pictures here (in the Sunflowers) when there were rows and rows and rows all in one place...Nevertheless,  they were still gorgeous and we loved checking them out.

Bees and Birds LOVE to eat the sunflowers....   Here's a picture showing some of them closer.... 7/31/17



And one final picture of these beauties.... Oh how I love them!!!!!   7/31/17
Hope these Flowers today brought a smile to your face.... Have a great week, my Friends.

Hugs,
at

27 comments:

  1. R's RueAugust 14, 2017 at 2:41 AM

    Beautiful.

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  2. AnnAugust 14, 2017 at 5:43 AM

    So very pretty. Never a disappointment at the Biltmore is it.

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  3. Big DudeAugust 14, 2017 at 6:35 AM

    Really nice shots as always Betsy. I cannot imagine anyone else visiting Biltmore as often as you guys do.

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  4. eileeninmdAugust 14, 2017 at 7:05 AM

    Hello, the waterlilies are gorgeous. I also love the field of sunflowers, a beautiful sight to see. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  5. GeorgeAugust 14, 2017 at 8:29 AM

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures from Biltmore. I never get tired of visiting there, and I'm glad you don't either.

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  6. UnknownAugust 14, 2017 at 9:45 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!!!

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  7. KayAugust 14, 2017 at 9:56 AM

    What awesome photos, Betsy! I happen to also LOVE to take photos of waterlilies. I don't know why. I just do.

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  8. PamAugust 14, 2017 at 1:24 PM

    Beautiful, beautiful, Betsy! You certainly get to visit there a lot and hopefully we will take the long drive before long! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Ginny HartzlerAugust 14, 2017 at 1:32 PM

    I see your bee in FLIGHT! My favorite picture is the first! I have never seen a purple water lily, and wow on it's shadow and reflection in the water!!! ALL your water lily shots are fabulous! I love the red lily pads (never saw those) and also those big pads with the edges! And those other kind create a design almost like a Mandela! Georgeous post today with lots of beauty that I have never seen!

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  10. Arkansas PattiAugust 14, 2017 at 1:49 PM

    You really take advantage of your season tickets. That is such a beautiful place regardless of the season. Love those huge lily pads. Look like serving trays. Wonder if they harvest the sunflower seeds or just let the birds do it.

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  11. Chatty CroneAugust 14, 2017 at 2:44 PM

    That place and all it's gardens are beautiful - they must have a fleet of gardeners.

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  12. Ruth HiebertAugust 14, 2017 at 2:53 PM

    I'm so happy that you had this wonderful time to celebrate your birthday.I hope that these pictures will spark many happy memories.

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  13. MarciaAugust 14, 2017 at 6:31 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous water lilies. Haven't seen any of those since I visited Longwood Gardens years ago. Brought back memories of that visit. thanks.

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  14. ShugAugust 14, 2017 at 7:15 PM

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I'm still waiting to go there someday. I love flowers and I especially love lily pads. Now that Tyler is over that way, maybe I'll get to go sooner than I think...

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  15. The Furry GnomeAugust 14, 2017 at 7:53 PM

    Such a wonderful place to visit! If it were closer, we'd be there in a flash.

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  16. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmAugust 14, 2017 at 8:57 PM

    I love water lilies. They are such interesting flowers.

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  17. BetsyAugust 14, 2017 at 11:15 PM

    Lovely photos Betsy. The lillies and the sunflowers are both gorgeous. We have huge fields of sunflowers in bloom right now just down the road from our lake. Driving home is like driving through a sea of sunflowers as they are on both sides of the highway. The farmers grow them about every three years in the crop rotation. The sunflower seeds are sold to a local birdseed manufacturer. I like how it stays local and helps the birds. Have a lovely day my friend.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  18. ConnieAugust 15, 2017 at 9:57 AM

    Wonderful photos of the beautiful sunflowers and water lilies, Betsy! Such a neat place to visit.

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  19. Lowcarb team memberAugust 15, 2017 at 5:52 PM

    What a delight to see.
    The gardens look a great place to visit.
    Those water lilies are fabulous, the sunflowers too.

    I do hope the week is going well for you.

    All the best Jan

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  20. BeachGypsyAugust 16, 2017 at 12:54 AM

    These are great pictures, Betsy, I love them! Especially the water lilies---some of those you just almost expect tiny fairies to swoop in and land on them, they are just fairy-tale looking! Love those big bright sunflowers too, always such happy flowers!

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  21. BeatrizAugust 16, 2017 at 6:01 AM

    Hi Betsy
    Everything so beautiful that I could spend all day long on this place... the park of flowers, the best name!

    Have a nice day!!!

    Bia
    www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

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  22. HappyKAugust 16, 2017 at 1:58 PM

    Oh wow all the pictures are just gorgeous!!!

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  23. DeeAugust 16, 2017 at 2:34 PM

    Dear Betsy, thank you for sharing so much beauty. Peace.

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  24. DavidAugust 16, 2017 at 11:40 PM

    Betsy, The flower and scenery photos that you and George take and post are always upbeat and provide a bright spot in the day... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  25. diane bAugust 17, 2017 at 6:24 AM

    Biltmore is an amazing place. All the different water lilies are interesting.

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  26. Linda at To Behold The BeautyAugust 17, 2017 at 8:38 AM

    So many beautiful and unique water lilies. I had no idea there were so many varieties. Love the sunflowers, too. They're so cheery.

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  27. RoseAugust 17, 2017 at 8:30 PM

    Beautiful photos, Betsy!

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