Lens-Artists Challenge #396: Pick a Favourite Quote and Illustrate It.
“Stillness is what creates love. Movement is what creates life.” — Rumi
The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) hunts using a remarkable technique called canopy feeding: it stretches its wings overhead and holds them perfectly still, casting a shadow that cuts the surface glare and reveals fish below. Rumi’s words feel made for this moment — the heron’s stillness creates the conditions, while a single explosive strike creates the meal. Love and life, suspended in a wingbeat.
I thought this would be a perfect way to start my response to this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge. Ann-Christine wrote, “this week I have chosen for us to illustrate favourite quotes.” I love that idea, Ann-Christine. Head on to her post to see her examples and guidelines for the challenge. I have decided to follow her lead with five images and quotes.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu
The Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) is a year-round Texas resident, and these fuzzy ducklings — only weeks old — are taking some of the most consequential first steps of their lives. Mama leads, they follow, mirroring her every move. Lao Tzu’s thousand-mile journey begins right here, on a sun-warmed rock at the water’s edge.
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) hunts not by speed but by deliberation, slowly probing mud and shallow water with its long, curved coral bill in search of crayfish, crabs, and insects. Standing watchful among the reeds, it embodies Emerson’s secret perfectly: patience, the unhurried pace of nature, the quiet gift of waiting.
“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) lives nearly all of its life within sight of the sea, prying open oysters, clams, and mussels with the chisel-tipped orange bill that gives the species its name. Standing alone on the shore, this bird seems to read directly from Emerson’s lines: sunshine, sea, and wild air — the whole prescription for a good life.
“Be like a flower; turn your face to the sun.” — Kahlil Gibran
The Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) winters in the rainforests of South America — including parts of Brazil — and travels thousands of miles north each spring to nest in our forests, blazing in courtship plumage when it arrives. Like Gibran’s flower turning toward the sun, the tanager follows the light northward, carrying summer on his back.
This feels like a wonderful continuation of Beth’s beautiful theme we had last week. Thanks for all those great photos in your responses. I hope you will join this challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.
Next week, Anne will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
All of these photos were captured at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring American Oystercatcher, Lens-Artists, Mottled Duck, Parks, Scarlet Tanager, South Padre Island, SPI Birding and Nature Center, Texas, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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solaner
lovely birds and well captured!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, André.
Rebecca Cuningham
I’m in awe of the birds of Texas.
Egidio Leitao
There are some pretty ones, and we are in the migration route of many others.
I. J. Khanewala
Decidedly upbeat quotes, and lovely photos to go with them
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, I.J. We need more positive things in our world.
Leanne Cole
You found some lovely quotes Egidio, I love the images you have paired with them as well.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne.
Sofia Alves
Fantastic quotes and photos, Egídio. The duck and ducklings are favourites, a match made in heaven, I’d say!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. It’s wonderful to watch young animals near their mom’s careful watch.
Steve Schwartzman
When I followed up on the first Emerson quotation I found that it’s from his well-known essay “Nature,” and in particular from a section of it about education. I also found that the version appearing online in many places is actually parts of two sentences glommed together. Here’s the full paragraph in which the words appear:
“Now the correction of this quack practice is to import into Education the wisdom of life. Leave this military hurry and adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is patience. Do you know how the naturalist learns all the secrets of the forest, of plants, of birds, of beasts, of reptiles, of fishes, of the rivers and the sea? When he goes into the woods the birds fly before him and he finds none; when he goes to the river-bank, the fish and the reptile swim away and leave him alone. His secret is patience; he sits down, and sits still; he is a statue; he is a log. These creatures have no value for their time, and he must put as low a rate on his. By dint of obstinate sitting still, reptile, fish, bird and beast, which all wish to return to their haunts, begin to return. He sits still; if they approach, he remains passive as the stone he sits upon. They lose their fear. They have curiosity too about him. By and by the curiosity masters the fear, and they come swimming, creeping and flying towards him; and as he is still immovable, they not only resume their haunts and their ordinary labors and manners, show themselves to him in their work-day trim, but also volunteer some degree of advances towards fellowship and good understanding with a biped who behaves so civilly and well. Can you not baffle the impatience and passion of the child by your tranquillity? Can you not wait for him, as Nature and Providence do? Can you not keep for his mind and ways, for his secret, the same curiosity you give to the squirrel, snake, rabbit, and the sheldrake and the deer? He has a secret; wonderful methods in him; he is, every child,—a new style of man; give him time and opportunity. Talk of Columbus and Newton! I tell you the child just born in yonder hovel is the beginning of a revolution as great as theirs. But you must have the believing and prophetic eye. Have the self-command you wish to inspire. Your teaching and discipline must have the reserve and taciturnity of Nature. Teach them to hold their tongues by holding your own. Say little; do not snarl; do not chide; but govern by the eye. See what they need, and that the right thing is done.”
Egidio Leitao
As with most everything in print, things are often adapted, especially when it comes to quotes. We seldom know the context that originated them.
Leya
A winning concept, Egidio! Birds only, and perfect matches. The heron is majetic accompanied by interesting facts, and “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu is a really wonderful match. I wish I had thought about that myself! The scarlet tanager is a dream.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ann-Christine. I also like the Lao Tzu quote in spite of it being used a lot. Your challenge was wonderful.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful images and quotes Egídio, we seem to have been inspired by the same sages 😊🙏
Egidio Leitao
What a great feedback to read! I guess that explains why I always connect to your images. Thank you.
Toonsarah
What a great response to the challenge! Your quotes fit your chosen birds perfectly 🙂 I was fascinated to learn about the heron’s hunting technique and I love that striking Scarlet Tanager.
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, I didn’t know that they used the technique either. It was a great discovery. Thanks for the feedback.
photobyjohnbo
Your bird photography is top-notch, Egidio! Your quotes reflect the depth of each image. My favorite is that tricolor heron. Beautiful.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, John. This comment made my day, especially because I only consider myself an opportunistic birder.
photobyjohnbo
Well deserved. Beautiful images.
Anita
Wonderful selections Edigio, both the images and the quotes. Choosing birds for this challenge was such a great idea, and your photos capture them beautifully.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. I loved that I was able to pick only birds for the challenge.
margaret21
Perfect pairings. I like the way you have linked them all to birds. Clever!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Margaret. I always try to find a common theme for my posts. This worked out well, especially since all birds were photographed in the same place.
margaret21
Perfect!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Such beautiful photographs and quotes, yes let’s all “Be like a flower; turn your face to the sun.” — Kahlil Gibran
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful quotes and images Egidio. I loved your opener!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. I was glad that I was able to feature only birds for my response.
lifelessons
Amazing photos that beautifully illustrate your quotes.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Judy.
Vicki
Love your rise to the challenge, Egidio. Amazing bird images. Perfect subject to pair with each quote.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Vicki.
Tina Schell
Beautiful post Egidio, both the marvelous images and the corresponding quotes. I’m always surprised at the similarity of our beautiful birds. I’ve personally seen all but the scarlet tanagers which are here only in the autumn . What a gorgeous image of that beautiful bird! Apparently we are a stopover on their seasonal migration so I’ll have to try harder to find one! Loved your response this week.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Tina. I suppose the Gulf and East coasts share some similarities.
Teresa
Your images bring the quotes to life.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Teresa. I appreciate this feedback.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, this is a beautiful collection of quotes and images. I love that you featured birds in all of your images. I can’t pick a favorite – they are all stunning.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth. I wanted to challenge myself in featuring only a class of animals or scenic views.