What is life? The flash of a firefly in the night, the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. –Native American Blackfeet–

Every man has a different idea of beautiful…best to take the gesture, the shadow of the branch, and let the mind create the tree.–Wm. Faulkner

A man cannot jump over his own shadow–Yiddish proverb

Beware the dog–it’s shadow will not bite. –Danish proverb–

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. –Swedish proverb–

If you stand straight, you need not fear a crooked shadow.–Chinese proverb–

Observe carefully, and you will find wisdom even in the shadows. –African proverb–

One can live within the shadow of an idea without grasping it.–Elizabeth Bowen–

The shadow is often more interesting than the object itself.–Ellen Thompson–

There are dark shadows on earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.–Charles Dickens–

Imagination is the real and eternal world, of which this vegetable universe is but a faint shadow.–Wm. Blake (1757-1827)

No hill is without gravestones, no valley without shadows. –South African proverb–

Like our shadows, our wishes lengthen as our sun declines.–Edward Young–

Count your nights by stars, not shadows; count your life with smiles, not tears.–Italian proverb–

All images c2013 Naomi Baltuck
Click here for more interpretations of the Weekly Travel Theme: Shadows.
Click here to see Turkey, a Land of Light and Shadows.
This was so nicely done, Naomi!
By: Elyse on February 3, 2013
at 11:13 pm
Thank you, Elyse. I had fun putting it together.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 3, 2013
at 11:14 pm
This is fantastic Naomi so much thought and love put into the shadows. (the shadow is often more interesting…) In particular the one of the people with only shadows seen is a work of art. I would be tempted to play with it and produce an abstract piece with it. Congratulations on nailing this. NOW why aren’t you Freshly Pressed?
By: Books & Art - Spirit & Soul - Lesley Fletcher on February 3, 2013
at 11:39 pm
You are too sweet, Lesley! Thank you so much for your very generous words and thoughts.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 12:39 am
Awesome quote, Terrific photos. Fantastic shadows. What’s not to love here? Nothing.
By: Let's CUT the Crap! on February 4, 2013
at 1:02 am
Thank you, Tess. This was a fun one for me. I sure appreciate your visit.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 4:17 pm
You did a great job pairing the quotes and photos. Nicely done!
By: pattisj on February 4, 2013
at 1:53 am
Hi Patti,
Thank you. Shadows are so fascinating, and there is no shortage of material to draw upon. I don’t do sudoku or crossword puzzles, but pairing photos with the right words gives me the same sense of accomplishment.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 4:20 pm
Wonderful shadow play. Well done. I like the quotes, too. We’ve been shooting shadows at school. Inspiring.
By: rutheh on February 4, 2013
at 3:16 am
Thanks, Ruth. What a fun subject to choose to photograph. So many possibilities! Thanks for the visit.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 4:21 pm
stunning photographs and beautiful words – nicely done
By: Beth, just being me on February 4, 2013
at 3:28 am
Hi Beth,
Thanks for the visit, and for your very kind response!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 4:21 pm
By: Beth, just being me on February 4, 2013
at 9:42 pm
All amazing shots Naomi, but what are the chances of catching the shadow of your plane on the ground??? Incredible
By: Madhu on February 4, 2013
at 8:32 am
Hi Madhu,
That was a very lucky shot. I was SO glad I had my camera with me!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 4:22 pm
Naomi – so many of these are so good! Excellent pairing of quotes and photos – especially like the shot with “Worry gives a small thing a big shadow” and I love the gate photo. Great post.
By: Lynne Ayers on February 4, 2013
at 4:10 pm
Oh, Lynne, thanks for taking the time to comment. I wasn’t sure people would see and connect the two halves of a VERY long shadow.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 4:24 pm
lovely quotes; beautiful pictures
By: ShimonZ on February 4, 2013
at 7:22 pm
Thank you, Shimon.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 9:05 pm
This was great! I love the picture of the shadow of the tree – actually, all of the pictures were great! Well done!
By: Becky on February 4, 2013
at 7:35 pm
Thank you, Becky. I sure appreciate your visit, and your taking the time to share your thoughts.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 9:05 pm
I love these quotes, Naomi. My favourite is “Worry gives a small thing a big shadow” – so true.
By: diannegray on February 4, 2013
at 9:32 pm
Thank you, Dianne! It’s fun to know which ones strike people a certain way. That is one that I particularly liked too.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 4, 2013
at 9:35 pm
Loved all the Shadow play and the proverbs that fit so well with each one.
By: nutsfortreasure on February 5, 2013
at 11:37 am
Thank you, thank you!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 5, 2013
at 5:55 pm
By: nutsfortreasure on February 5, 2013
at 8:25 pm
Brilliant gallery – my pick is the airplane shadow .. you and your camera is working well together.
By: viveka on February 5, 2013
at 2:33 pm
Thanks so much. I really like that one a lot–the colors all came together, too, purely by chance.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 5, 2013
at 6:31 pm
They where all good, but that was so unique. Good job.
Naomi – can I ask you to check my little sweet thing out … and maybe vote for it – http://rodposse.com/2013/02/04/14th-challenger-qutie/ – maybe you already done it.
By: viveka on February 5, 2013
at 7:09 pm
If I “like” it on the site, does that count as voting for it? If so, I have happily done so. I looked for a ballot box or some other sign of or link to officially vote, and couldn’t find one. So I liked it, and hope that will count. It is adorable.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 5, 2013
at 8:47 pm
No, you’re right … it’s only LIKE you click after you used the link. Thank you so much … and he are so adorable .. or maybe it’s a she .. she is slightly pink.
By: viveka on February 5, 2013
at 8:55 pm
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 5, 2013
at 8:56 pm
Wow, great pics. I’m going to be thinking for awhile on the quote about the shadow being more interesting than the object itself.
By: Coleen Patrick on February 5, 2013
at 7:39 pm
Oh, yeah! That’s one you could apply to a lot of relationships. Thanks for the visit, and for sharing your thoughts.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 5, 2013
at 8:49 pm
Nice! My brother likes to take pictures of himself on his bike as he rides. Very interesting. Love the quote: “Worry gives a small thing a big shadow.” Also, this quote, although not about shadows, came to mind: “It is always darkest just before the dawn.” Maybe it was the light and dark theme- or the juxtaposition of positive and negative space in your photos- that brought that to mind. At any rate, I enjoyed seeing this post.
By: sue on February 6, 2013
at 12:32 am
That is a very appropriate quote, Sue. What is a shadow but a manifestation of light vs. dark (among other things). Thanks for stopping by.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 6, 2013
at 12:37 am
I am so glad to have found your blog through Elisa Ruland, you have a beautiful and diverse blog, I am now an avid follower
By: oawritingspoemspaintings on February 6, 2013
at 6:12 am
Thank you so much! I look forward to visiting your blog too.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 6, 2013
at 6:40 am
All are illuminating!
By: TBM on February 6, 2013
at 12:09 pm
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 6, 2013
at 5:59 pm
Marvelous.
By: i mayfly on February 6, 2013
at 10:53 pm
Thank you, Nikki!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 12, 2013
at 10:05 am
How neat that you were able to find appropriate quotes to fit the pictures! Nice job.
By: 4amWriter on February 6, 2013
at 11:29 pm
Thank you. I love that matchmaking process, and I really enjoy proverbs. In my anthology of folk tales, Apples From Heaven, I had the pleasure of pairing each story with the perfect proverb.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 12, 2013
at 10:08 am
Great shadow shots! Love these quotes. Thanks, Naomi!
By: Amy on February 7, 2013
at 1:19 am
Beautiful pictures and the quotations are simply inspiring!
By: megtraveling on February 7, 2013
at 9:17 pm
Thank you, Meg!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 7, 2013
at 11:39 pm
Well done, Naomi! All are wonderful presentations of the theme!
By: Tahira on February 8, 2013
at 5:45 pm
thank you, Tahira!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 8, 2013
at 7:06 pm
WOW!
By: Mona on February 9, 2013
at 3:58 pm
Hi Mona. Thanks for stopping by, and for taking the time to comment.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 10, 2013
at 9:39 am
Love how you intermixed the proverbs with the photos. Great blog post Naomi!
By: Kourtney Heintz on February 9, 2013
at 9:05 pm
Thanks, Kourtney. I LOVE proverbs. I’ve heard they are the essence of a culture boiled down into one short phrase.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 10, 2013
at 9:40 am
I have a hard time taking shadow pictures, but your’s are great and I love the quotes!
By: maggiemyklebust on February 10, 2013
at 2:10 pm
Thank you, Maggie!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 12, 2013
at 10:09 am
Brilliant as ever, Naomi, with your weaving of words around the pictures. Such a wonderful selection of shadow quotes. I particularly love the Yiddish one.
Here’s one I found: “The brightest flame casts the darkest shadow.”― George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings.
By: sarahpotterwrites on February 11, 2013
at 4:46 pm
I love that quote, Sarah. The photo that goes with the Yiddish proverb was really a cool one. We were in Argentina in their winter, on salt flats. So when Bea jumped up into the air, her shadow was so far away that it really did look like she had jumped over it and left it far behind. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 12, 2013
at 10:12 am
A lot of wisdom tucked between bits of fun. A delight.
By: Jamie Dedes on February 12, 2013
at 9:01 am
Thank you, Jamie!
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 12, 2013
at 10:15 am
I love proverbes
Naomi, this is another great post I loved reading – thank you for sharing it with us .. my favourite is the Danish one about the dog’s shadow
By: Paula on February 15, 2013
at 10:22 am
They say proverbs are the essence and wisdom of a culture boiled down into one pearl.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 15, 2013
at 5:58 pm
By: Paula on February 15, 2013
at 6:04 pm
Nicely done!
By: Imelda on February 22, 2013
at 3:06 am
These are beautifully made.
By: eof737 on February 22, 2013
at 3:58 am
Thank you, Elizabeth. It was really fun to put together.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 22, 2013
at 7:31 am
Shadow-play: that’s were the work gets done.
Your photographs are always one beauty upon another, a poetry of sorts. Often quite soothing. Thank you!
By: Jamie Dedes on March 3, 2013
at 5:39 am
Thank you, Jamie. It’s a quiet satisfying thing for me to put together one of these posts. Sort of like a crossword or a jigsaw puzzle, only you can share it with your friends.
By: Naomi Baltuck on March 5, 2013
at 4:35 pm
Love the pictures and the proverbs. Nicely done.
By: rfljenksy on March 3, 2013
at 6:57 pm
Thank you, thank you for stopping by and taking the time to share a comment.
By: Naomi Baltuck on March 5, 2013
at 4:36 pm
Loved it.. makes me want to push harder. I will when this language training is completed.. so hard to keep up.
By: rfljenksy on March 11, 2013
at 6:47 pm