I flipped this photo around. we read left to right and our brains seems to see thing that way. Many photos take on a completely different impact when reversed.
(Reading direction depends on what part of the world you're from)
Andrew Horodysky
You're absolutely right about flipping the photo, for the reason you give. Often, things like that also occur due to an intuitive decision (which I'd like to think would trump pragmatic rationale).
Another beautiful IR photo!
Should this subject interest you further, explore it. It lends itself to IR beautifully, without becoming some "technique window-dressing".