Visitors to the 19^th Annual Lotus Garden Festival had a chance to walk in tranquility surrounded by lotus and fruit plants, fishponds and catch a cool breeze blowing through the shade of towering bamboo.

Bruce Oler, a member of the Triangle Photo Group who recently was named photographer of the year, stopped by one of many picturesque spots at the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple grounds with camera in hand to snap photos of vibrantly colored fish that were swimming among the lotus plants.

He brings his camera everywhere, he said, and the Buddhist Temple grounds and Tyrrell Park are his favorite spots to capture nature.

“Those are the only places where I can always find exotic flowers whenever I go,” Oler said.

Another visitor, Ethel Fields, strolled through an adjacent area of the gardens and marveled at its beauty.

“It’s nice and so pretty,” Fields said. “You can just sit out here.”

Huong Tran, secretary/treasurer of the Temple, was clad in traditional dress and carrying a yellow umbrella. She was several on hand to gave tours of the grounds and provided information. In addition, members of Port Arthur Health Department including Nataly Perez were inside one of he buildings where they provided health screenings for glucose tests, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight.

Visitors also had a chance to sample some of the Vietnamese cuisine.

The festival, which coincides with the birthday of Buddha, continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Temple, 2701 Procter St.