Lily pads grow along the shallow edge of a freshwater lake in New England. Aquatic vegetation, which thrives during summer months, provides vital habitat for many fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

above angiosperms aquatic below biology botany cape cod color image day ecosystem freshwater growth habitat horizontal lake leaf lily pads marine biology massachusetts murky nature new england no people nymphaeaceae outdoors part of a series photography photosynthesis plant pond reed root sea life season split summer surface surface level underneath underwater vegetation water water lily water surface wilderness wildlife