Nature

Follow your Bliss
When I was younger I believed that my fate had limits. I believed that after discovering I was undocumented, and because of that my brain, mind and spirit were in trouble... my dreams of going to a great prestigious art college rapidly went out the window. In reality my circumstances were giving me other options that would brighten the way that I was living. There is no doubt within myself that where I am today is where I feel the most alive. "Follow your bliss" my friend Andy said. It is likely that "the bliss" gets blurry sometimes and it is hard to feel it. But I work at a farm now. And it is 7 years this August that I have been doing this work; being a part of farming and landscaping businesses. Wild South Florida farm life! How to describe this feeling? The one that connects me to nature and food? ... Dynamic. Vibrant. Arduous. That is my life in happiness, extremely rare to write on paper for me, but today I will let you inside. You can decide, if it is up to us and our own individual journeys to experience a joyous life.
By Alicia del Aguila5 years ago in Earth
My Happiness
After a good friend of mine passed away, I found painting couldn't help me heal from the sadness as it usually did. It was my main way of escape and healing through life's hurdles. I would often turn to paint on the canvas to express my emotions and work through hurt and sadness.
By Natalie Seawolf5 years ago in Earth
Diving into the Wilderness
During the summer vacation last year, I had the opportunity to visit Eco Park, Sri Lanka with my family. That was an epic memory in which I gathered beautiful life memories by spending time with nature. Each of these infallible moments carry vivid stories behind the shot. Not being an official photographer, I would love to collect memories from real life as I can recall the memories by seeing these pictures. Hence, the pictures were captured using my smartphone. Today I’m thinking wow for being able to capture them.
By Lankani Croos5 years ago in Earth
Adventures Of A Young Red-tail Hawk
A Red-tailed Hawk enjoying a serene moment; or so it would seem. Actually, this Hawk had just had “one of those days.” A Hawk has to eat. It’s an efficient hunter and it has its role in keeping rodent populations in check. But it’s funny and satisfying sometimes when the prey, in this case a cheeky grey squirrel, runs circles around its pursuer.
By Andrew Turnbull5 years ago in Earth
A Beaver Tale
I was taking some photos of a Great Egret in the shallows of a pond one evening when I heard rustling in the thicket behind me. I turned to see a big beaver dragging a tree out of the forest; a small conifer that might have been the perfect Christmas tree for a downtown condo.
By Andrew Turnbull5 years ago in Earth
Tropical Natural Moment
I walked down the trail deeper and deeper into the rainforest, sunlight filtering through the dense canopy creating a kaleidoscope of light spots and shadows. I knew this rainforest well, having worked as a researcher there for over half a decade. This tangled jungle never stopped surprising me. I walked this trail probably a thousand times since I first arrived at the research station, and every time, without exception, I saw something I had never seen before. An insect, a plant, an interaction between an animal and its prey or host plant. The stories have been endless, and the fascination is ever-growing. I walked off the muddy trail into the forest, only a few dozen steps, following a hunch. I had seen a patch of Heliconia plants a few days ago, their broad leaves looking like small versions of banana leaves. One of the leaves on one plant was collapsed, its central vein damaged by a creature that every visitor to the rainforest longs to see. Today, I approached silently, slowly so as not to disturb the treasure hidden by the folded leaf.
By Carlos L. de la Rosa5 years ago in Earth
The Trip
I couldn't wait to go. I was equal measure nerves and excitement, and not too far that the little kid who was back in Montana when she was 11.... that was in 1979, what! Now it was 2008, I was a photographer and a producer working in NYC, yet of course, not photographing or working in any environment anything like I had ever seen in Montana when I was a kid. It was a long time coming. Over twenty-five years.
By Lisa Carville5 years ago in Earth
BIRDWATCHING FOREVER
You’re probably spending a lot more time at home than you’re used to, doing your part to follow social distancing rules and slow the ongoing spread of covid-19. But only humans need to follow these rules—birds don’t. It’s the perfect time to start paying attention to them.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Earth
BEEKEEPING FOREVER
What exactly is beekeeping? Beekeeping, also referred to as Apiculture, is the maintenance of beehives by humans. The individual who maintains the beehives and gathers the Bee products or sells the bees to another individual is known as the Beekeeper. Bees are kept in a place known as the Beehive or an apiary. Beekeeping also consists of producing crossbreeds, protecting bees from illnesses, along with honey manufacturing.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Earth
Ducks
In the depths of downtown Chicago, the most exotic animal my 10-year-old eyes could spy was the monarch butterfly. In a childhood dominated by skyscrapers and brick, even the most common creatures were an adventurous discovery. I dug up earthworms and tried to count the number of segments or tell the head from the tail. I caught fireflies and kept them in washed out peanut butter jars scattered with grass and twigs. I learned that their small lives were fragile. The next summer I released them after keeping them only for a night. During school breaks, I would take the mile long trek through the open gates of Lincoln Park Zoo. I explored everything. I took in the sights of rhinos, sea lions, tigers, and cows. Somehow, they never did seem the way that I imagined. Animal Planet and picture books just made them seem more regal, more enchanting… just more wild.
By Meng Yu5 years ago in Earth
Brown Eyes
How easy it is over the past year to imagine we are all alone in this great big world. For those of us who’ve been trapped in a big city, it’s easy to feel alone with our thoughts, and disconnected from a world outside our pandemic routine. To forget how it felt to be in a foreign city, with different people, and sadly to even forget about nature and all it’s glorious creatures.
By Miss C5 years ago in Earth
For I Can't Help "Pollen" in Love with You!
My love for photography can best be described by the quote, “Photos are a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.” When I see this photo, I am transported back to the forest, hiking with my dad staring in awe of the tall trees and smelling the morning dew on the grass. It is also the first photo I have ever taken of a bee, and it certainly won’t be the last!
By Katlyn Campbell5 years ago in Earth