Nature
They Lurk Beneath!
Out in the swamp lands of Louisiana there is so much hidden beauty that is just waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s the breathtaking giant magnolias that stretch far throughout the land to the sandy barrier islands or the dense eerie bayou you will always find something new that is just waiting to be discovered. It is truly an incredible place that you just have to see to believe. Everyday there is always something different to do and each day is a new adventure that makes this place is a true outdoorsman’s paradise. For me I found the beauty in the bayou through the dense cypress trees in the murky waters lies one of earths fiercest creatures…alligators. These creatures may be deadly with their sharp teeth and claws but after observing these animals from a distance they are truly an incredible animal that is misunderstood that needs to be respected. I was able to capture the definition and beauty of these animals that are almost prehistoric through my camera lens as I drove deep into the swamp to find these creatures.
By Joanna Blaze5 years ago in Earth
Lenong: Birds of the King
When I was little, my dad and I had nothing to talk about. To me, he was always the quiet weirdo sitting in his office dissecting weird beetles. Yeah, I later learned about the word "entomologist", but I thought he was out of his mind back then. He was never home, always travelling, and as a kid, I did not understand that. To me, he just wasn't there and didn't want to spend time with his family. I was angry for him for years to spend money on his hobby rather than provide us with food.
By Lili Grosserova5 years ago in Earth
Joy in the Smallest Things
It's incredible how much joy small things can bring when you pay attention to them. For as long as I can remember, tiny things have always fascinated me. What I loved most about them were the many beautiful things I could create. Growing up, since I couldn't buy miniature toys myself, I would collect anything I thought I could use to create a small world of my own; bottle caps, beads, rocks, berries, sticks, leaves, flowers, whatever I could find, and I was off to find a bare patch of dirt or a flower pot to start building my little place. I'd begin drawing outlines in the earth where everything would be, whether it was a lake or a road or a house; I was excited to bring to life the picture I had painted in my mind.
By Sarah Bray5 years ago in Earth
Wildlife in my Garden
Like most people, I went stir-crazy during the pandemic. I'm typically used to jet-setting on adventures, but instead I had to find the adventure in my own garden. I was extremely lucky that I was isolated with an outside space, where I was able to write outside with my camera or phone next to me. I was ready to capture the amazing happenings of nature, literally at my doorstep. The lack of human movement caused wildlife to flourish. I saw nature take on the dominant role and thrive, all from my garden in New Jersey.
By Issie Amelia5 years ago in Earth
Alarm Bells
I had been exploring the far corners of Costa Rica for the best part of 2 months, immersing myself in the vast array of wildlife this viridescent country has to offer, constantly stunned at not just the quantity of life but the quality. This story is set way up high in the Puntarenas Province, approximately 1440m above sea level. Here sits one of the best kept cloud forests in Costa Rica; Monteverde - green mountain.
By James Herincx5 years ago in Earth
Reflections
There were several moments in which I questioned my sanity when I took nothing but my filled backpack and camera with me to spend the final weeks of the year in the middle of the Panamanian jungle. Because I was a naïve college sophomore, my parents feared it was actually a secret cult that was just miraging itself as a primate rehabilitation sanctuary. While the cult theory never came to fruition, they were right that it was not everything it appeared to be.
By Cassidy Quistorff Cianciolo5 years ago in Earth
Sunrise on Blockhouse Island
Sunrise on Blockhouse Island I tip-toed gingerly out of bed this morning, the cold floors beneath me seeming to be a very long bowling alley to get to the bathroom before I might pee on the floor just getting there. Relieved to have gotten there on time I set about my daily morning ritual of opening the blinds. The darkness surrounded me with a great disc of cloud overhead. A sparse strip of cloud-free space sat along the horizon and I anticipated a fairly colorful sunrise would soon emerge. I decided to go to the grand waters to watch. Checked the mirror to look at my hair... Gah! I turned on the tap and slopped water on my head. Still no good. I put on my hat. That’ll do. I heard a cough from Mom’s place and whispered, “Mom?”
By Gigi Gibson5 years ago in Earth
The Elusive Dragon
Instilling absolute fear and disgust, bugs are not what people gravitate towards when talking about the beauty of nature. However, for as long as I can remember, bugs have fascinated me. Their speed, their sounds, their colours – Incredibly frustrating to capture, but charming to observe. I spent my childhood summer days roaming the community garden studying all the critters I could find. Ants were everywhere, pouring out of the entrances they dug into the ground. Grasshoppers jumping great distances to show-off their powerful legs. It surprised me the first time I saw a grasshopper fly. I just found it so cool and unfair that not only did they have the ability to quickly jump but could also experience new heights flying short distances. Watching the bees travel from flower to flower was enchanting, but also scary because I wanted to avoid their stinger at all costs. The buzzing of flies and the chirps of crickets deafened my thoughts. And mosquitoes seemed to never leave me alone. The wilderness within that garden and any of the trails I explored showed me how diverse and colourful critters could be.
By Kishan Baskaran5 years ago in Earth
Get out of L.A.
“Get out of L.A." they all say. The pollution, the homeless crisis, the shallow friendships, and the isolation are a few things they list off for their reasoning. But their hardness of heart has caused them to stop noticing the flowers. Literally. They march on their causes — yelling loudly at the wrongs in the world — while forgetting to acknowledge the beauty, too.
By Natalie Spack5 years ago in Earth
