Colorful and flowering 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.

abundance angiosperms aquatic below biology bloom blossom botany cape cod chatham color image colorful day ecosystem flower freshwater growth habitat horizontal lake leaf lily pads marine biology massachusetts murky natural light nature new england no people nymphaeaceae orleans outdoors part of a series photography photosynthesis plant pond reed root sea life season stem summer surface surface level underneath underwater vegetation water water lily water surface wellfleet wilderness wildlife