Water and light

Reflection is defined as the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it. I fancied the words "throwing back" in the definition. The phrase totally embodied a few recent photos that I had taken.

​In essence, water was throwing back the light from the sun. 

I have always been fascinated by the textures and patterns created by the sunlight on the water. Sometimes, the surface of the water almost had a metallic quality. Other times, the sunlight filtering through various ripples created delicate designs.

It turned out that I'm not the only one who thought that way. An internet search turned up several quotes on the subject. However since most of the quotes were found on the internet, readers should be cautioned that quotes may not be factual or attributed to the right person. So the phrases in this post and many, many Pinterest​ photo-quotes could be wrong. ​

Nonetheless, several statements expressed my sentiments about light, water and reflections. 

The quote, "You are a pool of clear water where the light plays," was attributed to English writer Jeanette Winterson.

American author William Maxwell was credited with the saying, "Happiness is the light on the water. The water is cold and dark and deep."​

"We cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see," was said to be a Zen Proverb. 

Jamaican spiritual teacher, Mooji, was responsible for the words, "Your self-image is as ephemeral as the play of light dancing on the surface of the water. "
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"It is life, I think, to watch the water. A man can learn so many things," was attributed to American writer and novelist Nicholas Sparks.

Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher is credited with the phrase, "Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong."

I found that statement interesting since my mom had commented on some Facebook posts saying that some of the photos reminded her of photos of canyons. It was kind of ironic, because most canyons were indeed carved out by water. ​

Nonetheless, some photos required clear waters to see the textures and patterns of the rocks below. However, several somebodies have bee known to muddy the waters upstream.

​That's just the nature of things 'round here.