Echo Park Lake Lotus Super Bloom

The famed lotuses of Echo Park Lake have already started to bloom and it may be one of the most bountiful bloom events in recent history. Traditionally the lotuses enjoy warmer weather to start their bloom event, but conditions are premium for an earlier bloom. The colorful flowers should last through late July. Go see and enjoy them now, if you are taking photos leave your tripod at home.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2017

First bloom.

Tandem beauties.

Bountiful.

Rain Day

A lily pad in Echo Park Lake collects some rain drops from a May storm.
Big flowers soon.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2015

EP Lake.

Echo Park Skater

A 22-year-old skateboarder was attacked and murdered while walking with his girlfriend on Sunset Blvd. near Laveta Terrace in Echo Park last Friday evening.
Three attackers stabbed the skater, possibly for his skateboard which he refused to give up.
A skateboard was tied on to a street post where the young man was attacked, in protest of the murder.
LAPD is investigating the murder which may be gang related.
The Echo Park is undergoing heavy gentrification, the area was heavily gang plagued and poverty stricken.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2014

RIP Carlos.

May Flowers

Looks like those April showers brought us some nice May flowers.
Early lotus blooms were spotted last week in Echo Park Lake.
The newly planted iconic lotus flowers now show up in various colors from bright pink to deep purple, and can be seen all over the lake instead of just the cove located at the north part of the lake.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2014

Lotus bloom.

First bloomers.

Fast bird.

Lovely lotus.

Yellow lotus blooms.

Echo Park Lake Lotus Die-Off

The famous Lotus plants of Echo Park Lake failed to bloom this year. Instead most of plants have died. LA City officials speculated up to 13 different reasons may have been the reasons for the massive die-off including bad water quality, plant poaching-they are edible, and pest. This Lotus field has been around since the 1920's when Aimee Semple McPherson, founder of the Angelus Temple across the street from the lake, is said to have planted them from plants she imported from China. There were a few Lotus leaves that pushed their way through the unusually brown murky and foul smelling water this spring, only to quickly brown rot and die. The annual 2008 Lotus Festival held at the lake is two weeks away with no Lotus blooms in sight. The Lotus is a symbol of divine beauty in the Hindu religion and is considered a sacred plant.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008