I’ve always marveled at strong reflections in water. I know there is a scientific explanation for how light reflects off water at the same angle as the light is hitting the surface. The smoother the water the stronger the reflection. The stronger the light the stronger the reflection. Still the scientific principles boggle my mind. Nature has an amazing ability to awe us by taking her artistic brush and creating masterful works of art, like mirrored reflections.

Looking back through some of my photographs from this spring and summer, I noticed that I had quite a few bird images with strong reflections. My first thought whenever I see a reflection is if I were to paint it, it would be double the work! :)

I picked out a few bird photographs that demonstrate mirror-like reflections.

This first photograph captures a Snowy Egret in breeding plumage flying low over a pond. The wingtips almost touch the water and are the main focus of the reflection. Slight ripples in the water break up the reflection, but help create a sense of movement in the photo.

This next image is of an Anhinga, also in breeding plumage. The bird is moving at a high rate of speed having just taken off out of the water. I love how the reflection picks up the contrast between the wing in shadow and the wing struck by light.

I was taken back when I happened to glance over at a pond and in a relatively dark corner there was a Great Egret taking a bath. Egrets tend to wade along the edge of ponds, very stealth-like. They will dive head first into the water to catch a fish, but rarely have I seen one actually enjoying the water so thoroughly. Especially when there are alligators in the same water. I find this particular reflection most curious with the way the body and head appear disconnected. The egret had a swan like quality to it as it bathed.

Here is the same bird after rinsing off! As it stood waist deep in the dark water, its reflection mirrored its glorious curves.

What I find interesting about this next image is that the reflected image is further away from the Great Egret. The steep angle of sunlight creates a longer reflection because the sun is up high in the sky.

Here is another shot of the same egret taking a sip of water. This time the bird is touching the water with its beak and the bird and the reflection become one. The closer the bird is to the water, the closer the reflection is to the bird.

These two Snowy Egrets grew up in a nest a few feet away from the gnarly perch that they now love to frequent. This pic not only reflects the white birds but also the colorful blue sky.

That is another property of reflections I find fascinating, that they are in color! How does light transfer color? Amazing.

Here is a Great Egret in the same location.

Lastly, here are two Great Egrets, with a double reflection. These two are siblings that grew up in the same nest. They seem to enjoy fishing together and are very curious as to what the other one is doing and seeing.

I hope you enjoyed the pics. The rookeries have just about all cleared out with the little ones flying the coop. It’s been a good spring and summer for photographing a nice variety of birds.

I’m thinking my next bird painting might be a Roseate Spoonbill! I’m not quite sure of the composition yet. Here’s one last reflection pic featuring the colorful spoonbills!

Thanks for reading my journal and for your interest in my art and photography! Please check back soon to see what’s next on my easel.

“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion….”

— William R. Beebe

Strong Reflections - Mirroring nature’s beauty!