Water Water Everywhere – WPC Elemental
“Earth, water, fire, and wind. Where there is energy there is life.”
Suzy Kassem
Our earth is filled with wondrous places vibrant with color and teeming with life. Some of the swamps of South Carolina offer a view into what our world may have looked like centuries before landfill became an option and development became the order of the day.
“Nature that framed us of four elements…..doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.”
Christopher Marlowe*
Here we observe life at it’s most fundamental. Creatures not often seen in other environments are plentiful here – one need only pause to hear their calls. Perhaps they are warning others of our approach, or more likely they are simply communicating in ways we cannot begin to understand.
“Awareness is a mirror reflecting the four elements.”
Nhat Hanh
In these primitive environments we see our earth at its most basic. Deep dark waters house fallen leaves while reflecting the colors of the sky and the sturdy trees that surround them. The heat of the day begins to fade as the cool waters envelop us and we pass more deeply into the realm of the arboreal canopy.
“Warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of a child.”
Carl Jung
A moment’s pause in the heart of this environment brings a very particular peace if we are open to it. The sun’s rays are filtered and softened and the air is a tangible thing – somehow heavier and lighter at the same time. The whisper of the breeze can be heard above the peculiar noises of the swamp’s creatures, and at the center of it all, the swamp’s waters nourish both the life of its inhabitants and the soul of its visitors. As John Muir said “In every walk with nature, one receives much more than he seeks.” How very true.
*This quote has also been attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli
It’s Beautiful
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Drain the swamp! .. ha
These are awesome — question – what is the name of the stuff that floats on the water around there ..Duck something??
Is that what is on your top opening photo of your site ? with ?lilipads ? popping out of it?
That is such s cool photo!
Wow. absolutely beautiful post.
Many thanks Kedy!
Another beautiful post. All of your words and photos (especially the water one) just speak straight to my heart.
Thanks so much Miriam!
Buatiful photos but I wish I could proclaim water water everywhere in out beautiful Cape. In 2013 and 2014 the dams feeding Cape Town at this stage of the year were overflowing at more than 100% full. In 2015 it was 71% full, last year 51% and currently 31% with the raint season almost over!!
Oh dear, that does NOT sound good. On the other hand, here in the US, Houston (our 4th largest city) is totally overwhelmed with a deluge of water from a hurricane. it’s a complete disaster. So I suppose there are worse things than a drought. BTW good friends are visiting Cape Town this month so please order up some good weather for them!
Yes I saw footage quite disturbing
“…somehow heavier and lighter at the same time.” I love the quotes here, and yours, too! The photos remind us that it doesn’t always have to be a classic mountain or beach or perfect garden – there is much simmering under the surface in swampy places. Lovely, lovely post!
Thank you BB – it’s one of my favorite pasttimes. We have several beautiful swamps here in the south, each more amazing than the last!
Wonderful! That water abstract in particular
Many thanks Laurie!
These pictures are very interesting, Tina.
Thank you Cynthia
Who says a swamp has to be a nasty, boring, smelly place? Just look a bit more closely…
You’re absolutely right Dave. Actually they don’t smell at all and are certainly not boring!! Thanks for stopping by! >
Great Work
Thanks very much
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Your first photo is really magical!
Thanks LG – glad that one caught your eye!
So gorgeous! I love all your photos, they are stunning and look so peaceful. Water always calms me down so much.
Kathrin — http://mycupofenglishtea.wordpress.com
Many thanks Kathrin – appreciate your lovely comment and visit. >
Nice post. Especially liked Earth and Sky.
Thanks Jane >
Ah, such a most beautiful and delightful post in pictures and words.
Thanks very much Cornelia >
You’ve got such great contrast with your first three shot ~ beautiful work Tina. I’m very big on water, it has greatly influenced where I’ve lived and I love to explore water in every type of environment. Your first shot (my favorite and a spectacular shot) is something that gets the mind thinking about how it would feel to walk around this area, and then it occurred to me that I’ve never been to a true swamp. I’ve got a new goal 🙂 The creativity of your work helps with these dreams ~ wishing you a great week ahead.
Thanks so much Randall. I remember when I moved here some of my northern friends laughed when I said we had a view of the marsh. They said marsh=swamp and disparaged it. Little did they know they are not at all alike and both are gloriously beautiful in their own ways. Nature abounds and one cannot help but feel the peace. I’m with you, living near, if not on, water is a must for me too.
Hope you are enjoying your new environment and will be posting again soon!
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Agree, I think of swamps and a marsh as being incredibly serene. Ocean, lake, river or marsh ~ I’d take any of them 🙂
“Earth and Sky”, picture #3, is definitely my favorite.
How do you manage to take such amazing shots? Any suggestions on what cameras to use? I am working on upscaling my photo tools for my travel blog: http://www.travelwithclem.com.
Welcoming your suggestions!
Many thanks Clem. There are so many great choices today I’d spend some time doing research online. So many variables (cost, size, lowlight tolerances, it goes on and on and depends on what’s important to you.) Pay as much attention to lenses as camera. Most importantly try some online photography and photo editing classes, both can help immensely! Good luck 😀 >
I am planning on taking an online photography course, for sure. Is it better to buy the camera first or take the course first?
I’d do a class first. The more u know the better you’ll be able to choose what’s important to you
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I always enjoy your selection of quotes to fit with your images. Nice collection of dihydrogen monoxide shots. 🙂
LOL, thanks John >
Great collection of images, thoughts and quotes Tina! I really like the quotes from Carl Jung (Warmth)
and John Muir (Walk with Nature)
Many thanks Michael, much appreciated. >
Great post, Tina. Love your Magnolia Swamp shots, especially the lead. Such a special place. (I assume that’s where these are, but there are lots of swamps in the south!) 🙂
Thanks Jane. It’s actually Caw Caw but you’re right, we do have our share of swamps around here!
Beautiful Tina! I especially love the earth and sky shot! 😍
Many thanks Jewels!
Amazing collection, Tina.
Thanks rabirius!
You brought a whole new perspective to swamps and ” standing water” which we have had more than our share his summer… thank you!
LOL Miss Linda – let’s hope the standing water stays where it belongs!!
You have captured such beautiful subtlety in your scenes here Tina. Love the abstract view / rain through the windowpane.
Thanks so much Liz, appreciate your visit and comment.
Beautiful Tina!
Thanks very much Nicole
Had no idea this was part of South Carolina. It looks so green, so lush and every bit inviting. My favourite shot is the one of the Earth and Sky – the blue and green go so well together. Agree with your sentiment there is something so basic about being out there in nature, out there in the wild. You just don’t know when the next creature will appear, or when the next storm will come around. Sounds like summer is still underway for you, and hope the weather lingers a bit more so you can go out and about 🙂 Love the John Muir quote at the end. It is amazing what the world can give to us when we are not looking and just going about what we want to do 🙂
SC has it’s downsides – not the least of which is our heat during the summer – but we have some glorious forests, beaches and even swamps. Nature has given us some great bounty. As a transplanted northerner I suspect I appreciate it a bit more than some of the native southerners. Appreciate, as always, your thoughtful comment.
#3 is my favorite as well!
😊. Thanks!
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Wonderful Tina. “Earth and Sky” and “Water Abstract” are glorious. 🙂
Thanks so much Andrew – abstract was my personal fav 🙂
Marvelous, almost luscious, photos and thought provoking quotes. Thank you.
Luscious – love that!! Thanks Anne.
Wonderful photos!
Thanks Dahlia
Entirely my pleasure 🙂
There’s nothing like a southern swamp. Beautiful photos Tina
I agree with that for sure Nora – thanks!
As always, beautifully done Tina.
Thanks very much Maverick
Once again, you inspire me to do more than the minimum with this challenge. Another stunning statement, Tina!
What a wonderful compliment LIndy – many thanks!
Your photos and quotes about the mysteries of nature are stunning as always.
Thanks very much Dor – glad you enjoyed this one.
wonderful captures Tine….love ‘earth n sky’ …the reflection is gorgeous!!! Also love the impressionistic opening shot of the water lillies……just beautiful!!
Thanks April – so glad you chose that one. There are reflections everywhere at CawCaw – a photographer’s dream.
As always, your photos are breathtaking and your quotes perfectly chosen!
Thank you so much Laurel – very much appreciate your support.
These are amazing photos that show us the inner beauty of our wonderful earth. 🙂
Thanks Judy – she’s an amazing muse, isn’t she?!
Wow. What gorgeous photos!
Thanks so much Sumayanna
You’re welcome
Beautiful water images for this theme! Wonderful quotes. 🙂
Thanks very much Amy!
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Beautiful pictures !!!
Thank you very much!
Well done, both images taken and quotes selected.
Many thanks Sally
Some glorious captures here. I love your quotes and descriptions too. Nature is a wondrous thing!!
Thanks very much Julieallyn. Nature is indeed wondrous!
How absolutely beautiful, Tina…I especially love that last image. Pure tranquility
Thanks very much Sue – glad you chose that one, I felt like it was calling out for inclusion 🙂
A good choice, then!
So much stillness in the first and 3rd pictures Tina! Lovely 🙂
Many thanks Jude
Terrific! Love the water abstract.
Thanks Jude – you chose my favorite 🙂
Have to admit I had to look at Earth and Sky for a bit to understand what I was seeing. Lovely shots!
🙂 thanks sharon!!
Hi tina wonderful pictures the second is my favorit.
Many thanks Robert
These indeed are captured at their elemental level, Tina, lovely!! I see we liked that same quote by Susy Kassem!
Thanks Terri – truly great minds think alike – including Ms. Kassem’s!! Appreciate your stopping by.
Wow it’s so beautiful. I love it.
Hi Flo – thanks so much!