Lens-Artists Challenge #87 – Reflections

KING OF THE PERCH

“One cannot reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.”

Lao Tzu

There are very few photographers who do not appreciate a beautiful reflection. As I considered my response to this week’s Reflections challenge I thought about the many amazing species of birds here in Coastal South Carolina and the number of times I’ve captured their reflections. It seemed only natural to approach this week’s challenge with a combination of the two. Above, a cormorant and three lazy turtles are reflected in the pond below as they catch some sun at beautiful Magnolia Gardens.

GRAZING GULL

“The more peace we have within our own lives, the more we can reflect into the outer world.”

Senora Roy

There are more than 200 species of birds on Kiawah – way too many to include here. Birds of prey like hawks, eagles and ospreys, shorebirds such as gulls (like the one above), terns and plovers, and wading birds like herons, spoonbills and egrets all share our little world.  For more information on our avian population, click here.

IN THE PINK

“Words are chameleons, they reflect the color of their environment.”

Learned Hand

There are times when we interact a bit more closely than usual with our birds. I had to laugh at the roseate spoonbill above as it stared at the golf ball nestled in the nearby mud. Perhaps the bird is wondering what bizarre creature would lay such a strange, dappled egg, and further, was it the same species that left similar eggs just visible beneath the waters beyond?!

BEAUTIFUL BLUE

“Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.”

H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Above, I’ve included a favorite image I shot one evening several years ago along Kiawah’s marsh. I found the graceful elegance of the bird’s wings reflected in the waters to be simply exquisite. If a moment like that doesn’t cause one to reflect on nature’s blessings, I cannot begin to imagine what else possibly could.

MAGICAL MERGANSER

“The way we experience the world around us is a direct reflection of the world within us.”

Ritu Ghatourey

Finally, as a verb rather than a noun, we reflect on the wonders with which Mother Nature surrounds us. Here on Kiawah we are vigilant stewards of our natural environment. Plastics are not allowed on our beaches. Lights out at 9 along our oceanfront insures that sea turtles will visit to lay their eggs. Situating buildings within native landscape buffers provides cover and shade during intense summer heat. Small inconveniences for our residents deliver important protections for all of our wildlife.

Sincere thanks to our Guest Host Miriam for joining us this week. Please be sure to link your response to her challenge which can be found here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to appear in our Reader section.

As always, we very much appreciate the continuing support of our followers –  you are the best! We hope you’ll join us again next week when Ann-Christine returns with Challenge # 88.

 

 

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Tags: LENS-ARTISTS, reflections

• March 8, 2020
• Birds, Kiawah, Nature, Photography, Wildlife
• 103 Comments