In the summer, the lily pool offers subtle opportunities for appreciation, even when, as in June, the cottonwood floats on the water, gumming up its mirror-like surface.
On the water itself grow yellow flowers, and a few that are white and lotus-like. Around its edges are water iris and columbine and various reeds and rushes, behind which the ducks and their younglings swim, sometimes paddling under rock ledges to escape notice. In the summer the pond is green with reflections of lush foliage.
Even at a dull midday, when no self-respecting photographer would be abroad, the milky water of the lily pond is worth studying. It shows why Monet used all those pinks and lavenders in his Giverny paintings.
A salmon color permeates the leaves and stones, spangling the lily leaves on a pearl-grey surface.
In photographs the lily pond is perfectly peaceful, in a way it never is in real life. In the summertime, it crawls with animals and humans, with ripples and splashes, and with the noise of traffic on nearby city streets.
Lori D says
Nice photos. Is this location somewhere near the city?
Celia says
The lily pool is one of the city’s “hidden treasures.” It’s right on Fullerton Drive, in Lincoln Park, just north of the zoo. . . . The gate and signage are very unobtrusive, but those who enter find a beautiful naturalized pond with “prairie-stye” ledges and landscaping. I have written a number of posts about it-the link in the text will take you back to an earlier post and pictures. Thanks for reading, Lori!
Lori D says
Cool. Thanks, Celia.
Celia says
The formal name of the place is the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool.
Harley says
I have been to that pond and find it enchanting. It is a very small hidden treasure. The noise level of Fullerton Ave. can hardly be heard once one enters. I like your photos; especially the second one.
Celia says
So true. I’ve heard that it fell into a neglected state in the 1970s and 80s–kids went there to get high and called it “the Rookery.” Then in the 90s it was revitalized and replanted. There is still a lot of work quietly going on. . . . bird studies, and so forth. . . .one of my favorite places. . . .