Friday, February 24, 2012

Waiting for the Swallows to Return (Weekend Reflections # 127)

San Juan Capistrano, California  "The miracle of the "Swallows" of Capistrano takes place each year at the Mission San Juan Capistano, on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day. As the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the "miracle" of the return of the swallows." 

This is an upside down reflection of the San Juan Capistrano Mission. The mission was founded by the Spanish in 1775. I found the slightly breezy reflection in one of the mission's fountains.


Please only link posts that have picture/s of reflections. 
 If needed, click the link near the top right corner for Weekend Reflections instructions. Now, lets have some fun with Weekend Reflections!

48 comments:

Ebie said...

Tales have been told that the swallows were not coming back anymore. We were there a few months ago, and we did not see any of them.

Malyss said...

(J'avais encore tout écrit en anglais, je recommence! Ü)
Ce billet est tres poétique, et l'eau de la fontaine si claire et limpide! De bon augure pour les hirondelles, qui ne vont plus tarder à arriver, dans nos deux régions chaudes et ensoleillées.
Bonne fin de semaine!

TexWisGirl said...

what a great image! the top is so clear, it looked like a straight-up photo!

Anonymous said...

Excellent James. The colors are so rich.

Sylvia K said...

Awesome capture/reflection, James! You are good at this!! I love it! Hope you have a great weekend and thanks as always for the weekend fun!

Sylvia

Wayne said...

It has a surreal feeling, well done!

Owen said...

Ah, reflections like only you know how to find them, and to invert them. (what was that line from "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" about being inverted ?)

I've missed a few sessions of reflections for the weekend, have been a bit under the weather and simply not blogging much as a result... but caught one or two reflections while in Paris yesterday and offer them up today by way of letting you know that I haven't forgotten by any stretch of the imagination about Weekend Reflections, and all the good things going on here. May the swallows return magically when the time is right. Best wishes...

Alexa said...

Love this reflection, James! You definitely know how to find them.

Carolyn Ford said...

so beautiful, James!

NatureFootstep said...

swallows comes so early to you? You are lucky. I´m sure they see the reflection. :)

imac said...

What a super turn-a-round reflection James.

Pat Tillett said...

Very nice James! This is just a few minutes from my house and I haven't been there for years! I'm gonna go soon! Thanks for the inspiration...

Kay L. Davies said...

Gorgeous reflection, James.
I'm going to look through my archives to see what I've got today.
K

Pat said...

What a beautiful capture! A "water color", for sure! I have been to this mission, but not during the time when the swallows come there. I would love to be there then!

Gine said...

Incroyable et encore une fois très beau !

Simon said...

Fountain....good one. Not too many fountains around here-but come summer I'll have to be on the lookout.
I like that the whole image is a reflection aside from that sweet little flower on the right. Nice one my friend.

Lúcia said...

Cool reflection, it's amazing how clear the top is!
Have a good weekend James! ;-)

Ellie said...

That is an amazing reflection - it is so clear.

Dimple said...

Beautiful reflection, James.
Thanks for the image of a place I have not visited!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Beautiful detail in this reflection! The idea of the swallows returning as a seasonal event is delightful!

Laura said...

gorgeous reflections James!

Deb said...

cool that is my birthday...

Halcyon said...

What a neat place. I have never heard of the return of the swallows, but I like the idea. And a beautiful reflection too!

Dina said...

That little breeze added so much to your photo.

Valerie said...

What a fantastic capture James! and thanks for the accompanying info (and for hosting this site, enabling us all to share) Wishing you a great weekend.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

What a great reflection, James. Swallows are such beautiful birds and their return signalling the return of Spring is a subject of much folk tradition in many parts of the Northern hemisphere.

Thanks for hosting!

Lew said...

California skies and old Spanish architecture - a beautiful reflection!

Jan said...

You have such an eye for the phootographic opportunity. I mainly know about the swallows there from the song many years ago.
When I was posting here, my photo today was not offered as an option.
Happy weekend!

Jan said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Leovi said...

Nice photo, a prospect with great beauty. Greetings.

Unknown said...

I once dreamed of living in Capistrano, but the dream didn't last long:) Great capture James -every time I learn something new about this area.

forgetmenot said...

What a great place to visit--lovely old mission. What fun to be there when the swallows actually did return! Mickie :)

Scrappy Grams said...

unique!

Gattina said...

Quiet a very special reflection !

Oakland Daily Photo said...

The ripples at the bottom of the image add to the dreamy quality of the image.

Carole M. said...

such a beautiful celebration!

Catherine said...

Another beautiful shot..

Cezar and Léia said...

Really interesting reflection, well spotted!
God bless you!
Cezar

Anonymous said...

Amazing photo!
We were in San Juan Capistrano three weeks ago on vacation.

Cheryl Ann said...

We are in San Juan Capistrano this weekend! We're going to the mission TODAY! I can't wait. It's been 20 years since we've been here...

namaki said...

This is a real blowmind reflection !

Virginia said...

James I was feeling very proud of myself for remembering to join the group this morning and now I see I've added MY photo instead of the Paris Reflection one from the blog. I"m sorry. If you want to remove it , I"ll put the right one up.
V

Unknown said...

Your images are always amazing! Have a blessed week end.

Powell River Books said...

When I was in fourth grade (in the way back machine), my parents took me to almost all of the California missions. I loved the story about the return of the swallows at Capistrano. Now I live in a float cabin in Powell River. I wait every year for the return of my tree and barn swallows. They eat lots of bugs, so they keep us both entertained and mosquito free (well almost). - Margy

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

That is a sharp reflection- fantastic!

Margaret Gosden said...

Thank you James! I have often turned photos upside down but this one of yours, I feel, I want to see right side up! Nonetheless, it is remarkable!

Stickup Artist said...

I know the place well but haven't been there in a few years. Looks like you were there on a gorgeous day judging by that beautiful blue sky reflected in the fountain. I'll bet that is one of the most unique viewpoints ever presented of the mission!

TheChieftess said...

Wonderful reflection James!