Thursday, November 25, 2010

Upon Reflection

"The trees reflected in the river -- they are unconscious of a spiritual world so near to them. So are we." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne




"No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see."
~ Taoist proverb




"Water reflects not only clouds and trees and cliffs, but all the infinite variations of mind and spirit we bring to it." ~ Sigurd Olson




"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human."
~ Loren Eiseley




"A reflection on a pool of water does not reveal its depth." ~Unknown Warrior




“Every path has its puddle” ~ Proverb




". . . imagine a puddle waking up one morning and thinking, 'This is an interesting world I find myself in, an interesting hole I find myself in, fits me rather neatly, doesn't it? In fact it fits me staggeringly well, must have been made to have me in it!' This is such a powerful idea that as the sun rises in the sky and the air heats up and as, gradually, the puddle gets smaller and smaller, it's still frantically hanging on to the notion that everything's going to be alright, because this world was meant to have him in it, was built to have him in it; so the moment he disappears catches him rather by surprise. I think this may be something we need to be on the watch out for." ~ Douglas Adams




"Ultimately, our future is like a mirror. Whenever we face it, it always reflects what we left behind."
~ Marilyn vos Savant

66 comments:

Kristina P. said...

These are gorgeous! Happy Thanksgiving, Hilary.

Frank Baron said...

Really nice marriage of fine shots with thoughtful quotes. Reflections are always interesting and a wee bit magical.

Zuzana said...

What a fantastic idea of capturing reflection of any kind.
The first picture is my favorite, it has so much feeling in it...
Have a lovely day dear friend,
xoxo

Bimbimbie said...

It's always good to take the time to reflect. That second to last photo looks a like white gnarled fingers supporting an imagined head*!*

Anonymous said...

Wow wow wow! Each photo is a work of art, and the quotes fit perfectly!

Anvilcloud said...

I'll give the foggy one and the ducky one an A+.

Lori said...

As always these photo's are wonderful as are the words you chose. I am very grateful this Thanksgiving morning for having met people like you and for this computer that makes knowing such marvelous people possible. Bless you Hilary. XX

Hilary said...

Your photos are awesome, as always. You have the eye, dear friend.h

June said...

I love quotations' distillation of wisdom into a few words. You've chosen your corresponding illustrations well.

solarity said...

The reflection of fog is wonderful! I didn't know that was possible. The rest are beautiful, but that one is unreal.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

DJan said...

Thank you for this! It's a lovely post, and I give thanks for YOU and your wonderful blog, Hilary. Happy Thanksgiving!

Paul C said...

I can see a coffee table book of your wonderful photos complemented with a pertinent quote like this post. Beautiful and thought provoking.

hope and love said...

fantastic blog ..!!

Leah J. Utas said...

Just beautiful. Excellent work with the fog pic.

ellen abbott said...

that first one and the third from the bottom are awesome. The clouds reflected in that bit of puddle...very Rene´ Magritte.

Brian Miller said...

lovely...esp that first one...wow...love the fog...

Moannie said...

Totally stunning, Hilary. All of them are suerb but I have to say that the first one took my breath away. Love your words too.

You're a star.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

They are all wonderful Hilary, but I love the second last.

Dawn said...

"Every Path has its Puzzle"...oh Hilary it's a perfect quote!!!
Love your photos!
Thank you for this today!!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I'm curious. Were the photos with the Unknown Warrior and the Douglas Adams quotes taken on the same day, or is that puddle one that resists the call to relinquish it's hold on the path? I really liked the Douglas Adams quote and the photo that it accompanied. Another fine post.

MaggieGem said...

Wonderful photos with fitting quotes, I really enjoyed the path!

I am very thankful for you beautiful photos and words, the kind comments you always leave and you POTW which brings wonderful new bloggers to enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Such thought-provoking quotes and images! Your first photo really grabbed me by the lapels and demanded my attention.
Well done!

Out on the prairie said...

Outstanding Hilary, a very nice collection of photos and thoughts to share.

Steve Gravano said...

I think this is one of your finest posts, the quotes and photos are beautiful.

Tammie Lee said...

Hilary, I enjoyed this post so much. These thoughts have been a personal meditation for me this past week. As humans... we can experience the oneness with all life and also we have a mind that reflects and ponders... we can take one stance or the other, a a bit of both. So interesting. I love it when I immerse myself with out natural world and with others as well...
Thank you for all the beauty in your photos and for words so wonderful.

Meredith said...

What a beautiful post! The puddle with the cloud reflected in it is an image that will stick with me for a while, I'm sure. :)

ds said...

Love that first photo especially, and the last. Douglas Adams is priceless! You had your official day of Thanksgiving last month, of course, but I don't have to reflect at all to be thankful for you.

Reb said...

These are all so beautiful and the quote so fitting. Love the gull and the duck on the log.

messymimi said...

Lovely pictures and reflective thoughts for a meditating kind of day. Thank you.

VM Sehy Photography said...

Beautiful shots. I especially like the duck and seagull. And that quote from Douglas Adams, very timely. Happy Thanksgiving from the American side.

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Kristina. And to you, too. :)

• Thank you, Frank. Magic counts for a lot. :)

• Zuzana, thanks kindly. That is one of my favourite spots within walking distance. :)

• Bimbimbie, you're quite right. It sure does. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

• Thanks kindly, Lady Fi. I'm glad you approve. :)

• Thank you, AC. Much appreciated. :)

• Lori, thank you so much for such sweet words. I feel the same way about you. I hope you're having a marvelous day with your Littles. :)

• Hilary, thank you kindly, my favourite namesake. :)

• Thanks very much, June. I appreciate the kind words. :)

• Mary Anne, thanks kindly. I love foggy days. This was just one of many shots I took that day. I'm glad you like it. :)

• DJan, thank you so much. The feeling is mutual. I hope you're having a wonderful T'day. :)

• Thank you, Paul. I appreciate the sentiment. :)

• Welcome, Hope and Love and thanks for the kind words. :)

• Thank you, Leah. Much appreciated. :)

• Ellen, thanks so much for the kind compliment. It means a lot to me coming from such an artistic person as yourself. :)

• Thanks very much, Brian. :)

Hilary said...

• Moannie, thank you so much. Of course the words were not my own but I appreciate your kind compliment about the photos. You're too sweet. :)

• Thank you, Bonnie. I'm glad you stopped by. :)

• Thank you, Dawn. It's actually "every path has its puddle" but puzzle works well too. Thanks so much for the kind words. :)

• Linda, it's the same puddle in both photos, taken just a few seconds (and steps) apart. It's almost always on that path to some degree. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thank you, Maggie Gem. Your kind words mean so much to me. :)

• KC, now there's a visual! Thanks so much for those kind words, my friend. :)

• Thanks kindly, OOTP. Much appreciated. :)

• Thanks very much, Steve. I'm glad you think so. :)

• Tammie Lee, thank you so very much for such a lovely comment. I'm glad my post fit in with how you've been feeling this past week. That makes me smile. :)

• Welcome, Meredith and thank you for such kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)

• DS, thank you so very much. Such a kind thing to say. I hope your Thanksgiving Day was wonderful. :)

• Reb, thank you. I'm glad you like them. They stuck around tolerating me for quite a while. I'll probably have more photos of them before too long.

• Thank you MessyMimi. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

• Welcome, Becca. Thanks for the kind words. :)

• Thanks kindly, VM. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. :)

Mage said...

Simply magic. Thank you so much for sharing these moments and words with us. I hope you and yours had a beautiful Thanksgiving day.

SandyCarlson said...

Dreamy and beautiful and divine. Fog is a wonderful filter. That first shot just blows me away--and then draws me in.

Thanks for these wonderful thoughts and images, my friend.

sage said...

You have such nice quotes and beautiful photos (the fog photo is especially nice). Happy Thanksgiving (although you're Canadian, aren't you, so you celebrated last month, right)

Tabor said...

Nice...actually excellent...juxtaposition of quotes and photos. They are like vitamins...take/view/read one a day.

Unknown said...

love love these.

isn't amazing how the simplest things can be rich and intriguing.

beth said...

that first photo took my breath away....pure natural beauty !!

CiCi said...

Douglas Adams puts it right out there. Great quote. The photos are calming and serene in a way that only the colors of fall see through a naturalist's lens can be shared. I so love your photos.

Daryl said...

WOWSA .. gorgeous~

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots and I love the quotes! I believe the first is my favorite - I have a tough time capturing the feel of a foggy, misty day, but you do it well!

kazia said...

winter is coming :)
great shots

Christine said...

love the birds ~ water can be such a magical mirror... all of your reflections are fantastic :-)

Dawning Inspiration said...

Lovely reflections - love that duck and seagull one together - fabulous capture!

Hilary said...

• Thanks very much, Maggie. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. Our Thanksgiving was in October but I appreciate the good wishes. Right back at you. :)

• Sandy, you never fail to make me smile when you visit. Your always kind words are so appreciated. Thank you for that. :)

• Thank you, Sage. You are correct about my being Canadian and celebrating last month. I hope yours was a wonderful holiday. Thanks so much for the kind words. :)

• Thanks so much, Tabor. I'm so glad you enjoyed. :)

• Deb, thank you. Puddles have always intrigued me. They offer a view we rarely notice.. up. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thank you so much, Beth. That means a lot to me, coming from you. :)

• TechnoBabe, thanks very kindly. I'm so glad that you do. And so flattered. Much appreciated. :)

• Thanks muchly, Daryl. :)

• Babara, thanks very much. It was an incredibly moody morning, and that's one of my favourite spots. The two together made it right. Thanks for the kind words. :)

• Kazia, thanks very much but please don't remind me about winter! ;)

• Thank you, Christine. Much appreciated. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• SD, thanks very kindly. I'm glad you think so. :)

Mental P Mama said...

These quotes are perfect -- as usual;)

photowannabe said...

Your photos and quotes always leave me emotionally wrung out. they hit something deep inside of me. Thank you for taking so much time to produce your works of art.
I love the proverb..every path has its puddle. I am remembering that one.

holdingmoments said...

Great post Hilary. The words and pictures complement each other perfectly.

Pauline said...

That Douglas Adams quote made me sit up straight and think!

Such stunning photographs. I am always delighted I stopped by :) Thanks, Hilary

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos Hilary! And I love the quotes! Especially the puddle ones!!! That photo of the gull and duck is spectacular. And of course, my favourite is the first photo of the trees by river in the fog! Lovely!!!!!

Dianne said...

I love the mallard and the gull :)
they look like awkward teens at their first dance

and the first shot!! ahhhhh I love me some fog

Andrea said...

Wonderful photos as usual, Hilary...and I LOVE the quotes!! An extremely thoughtful blog...thanks for sharing. :)

Velvet Over Steel said...

Wow, Hilary, you did a great job of matching awesome quotes to each amazing pictures!! Coolest post I've seen!! Loved it!!

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday LONG weekend!!

Hugs,
Coreen

Hilary said...

• Thanks, MPM. :)

• Sue, thank you so much for such encouraging words. I'm so pleased to know that my posts touch you. Thanks for this. :)

• Keith, thanks very much. :)

• Thank you, Pauline. I'm always happy to have you along. :)

• Rainy, thanks so much. I'm not at all surprised that the tree captured your fancy. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Dianne, I love the way you interpret my photos. You're always a treat, my friend. :)

• Good to see you, Andrea. Thanks so much for the kind words. :)

• Thank you kindly, Coreen. Very much appreciated. :)

Country Girl said...

So very beautiful, my friend.

Cheryl Kohan said...

You should publish a book of your photos and quotes, Hilary. They're THAT good and I'm being serious, here.

I can't decide which is my favorite. They're all perfect.

Sandra said...

Beautiful photos and quotes. What I have come to think of as "classic Hilary". Thank you.

ruzcarmen di romo said...

Hi there, Hilary! The last quotation summed up all the awesome photos, and probably most of what you have in mind. And it prompted me to write a whole new post on the matter. :) So thanks for the inspiration. Wonderful, wonderful!

Hilary said...

• Thank you kindly, Kate. :)

• Cheryl, that's such a kind thing to say thanks so much. :)

• Thank you, Sandra. You always make me smile. :)

• Welcome, Ruzcarmen and thank you for the kind words. I'll be around to see your post soon. :)

ruzcarmen di romo said...

Yey! That response got me all fueled up to finish the article! Will buzz you when it's done and published! Thanks, Hil! You're truly a wonderful online find!

Kerri Farley said...

Exquisite my friend!

Suldog said...

One of the pleasures of going on a short vacation, especially from blogging and such, is being able to come back and enjoy numerous posts of yours that I missed. Lovely shots, as always, and a nice contemplative way to start my Wednesday.

ruzcarmen di romo said...

Hi, Hilary! Here's that "inspiration" from you. :)
http://www.ruzanneromo.com/2010/12/01/smitten-by-hilary-uh-the-lesson-on-reflection-i-mean/

Hilary said...

• Ruzcarman, thank you so much for the kind words. I'll look forward to seeing it when it's done. :)

• Thank you kindly, Kerri. :)

• Jim, you're too kind. Thank you so much, my friend. You always manage to evoke a smile. :)

• Ruzcarmen, I'll be by to see it soon. Thank you. :)

Anonymous said...

I just LOVE the tree trunks reflection and the quote underneath!

Hilary said...

• Jillsy thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you liked it. :)