Pretty Boy
He is a charmer, colourful fellow, proud headdress, garden ranger, deadly hunter.
When nature is left to itself everything finds a place. The plants feed the caterpillars, they feed all sorts – including spiders, they feed the lizards and they feed the birds.
Everything produces something for the tiny stuff to start it all over again, a perpetual motion machine requiring all the parts to be functioning, as intended.
There is no panic in the garden. They all go about their business without fear of future, or losing what’s known. And the end comes, naturally, inevitably.
Living, eating, sleeping, working, playing, mating and dying is what it’s about. When that can be done without a mental emotional problem it’s a pleasure …
… that passes understanding.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click the pix for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
I really enjoy the way you are opening doors to our understanding of small creatures with whom we share our world. Thank you (and the spider, of course!).
Their world is deserving of our attention, and appreciation. There really is only one (actual) world but I suspect most will never get that.
Sadly I think you’re right, Mark. We are so engrossed in ourselves and our technology to the exclusion of so much else. But people like you are making a difference — showing us the overlooked and unnoticed lives that share our world. Thank you for your ongoing efforts.
Pleasure …
cool pictures !
Thanks Gwen …
“And the end comes, naturally, inevitably.” Yes, but sometimes in horrible ways. Like those insects which paralyse their prey and then suck out their insides while they are still alive, or parasitic eggs laid in living prey which then eat them from the inside out. I would argue that the system is needlessly cruel at times, though of course, that is my emotional response;)
It’s just the way it is. Nature doesn’t know cruel or kind, only people do. And knowing (better), people are more cruel than anything else could be judged to be.
On the whole I take your point: but sometimes there does seem to be animal behaviour which suggests an act of kindness.
No doubt there is love amongst animals, we are animals too. Even among insects there is behaviour that could be called love, if ‘only’ instinctive – serving the need of ‘nature’ to return. But I have never seen amongst animals or insects the malice I have seen in people. That is not to blame people, we have a mighty responsibility, to know (my) self (the natural savage emotionalised) and tame it one way or another – point being we don’t just know better.
Knowing, it is incumbent upon us to do better. And perhaps in this way make not just a better world for us, but a better earth for everything here. We are all of the earth and the psyche out of which everything arises is not separate, not exclusive. One thing affects the other, for good or ill.
And those who don’t … know not what they do. :-)
It’s a joy to see your fabulous images and read your insights.
Thanks Jo …
Charmer indeed. Stopping for our viewing pleasure on the circle of life.
Thanks Lyle. He was focussed on his meal.
Fantastic shots, the clarity is amazing.
Thanks Mac …
Spiders are soooo stylish!!! These are fantastic!
Thanks Therese … A real dandy this one.
Hi….I can only say “wow”!
Your pictures are stunning! They should be printed in Biology books for students!
I really enjoy looking at all those details…
Have a lovely day.
Hi Alexa. I suspect those that make the decisions don’t want students distracted by the beauty of nature, they might have to cut it up.
Thanks …
lol
What glorious photos!
Thanks Kathy … appreciated.
Amazing photos; technically and aesthetically . The spider’s body looks a bit like the small end of a banana. I also liked you commentary, especially the paragraph that starts out “There is no panic in the garden.”
Thanks David. Yes, it’s a different world in more ways than one.
Beautiful photos, Mark!
Thanks David …
Great script and great images.
Thanks Larry …
Mark- These are beautiful. Great clarity…poor caterpillar. And, I am partial to blues and greens together so this is particularly appealing to me. May I ask what equipment you’re using?
Thanks Jane. I enjoy the contrasts too. These were taken with the Panasonic G1 with Oly macro 50/f2 lens and achromat on. Lighting is the usual snooted and diffused flash, dragging the shutter to keep ambient background which is sky/line, articulating LCD comes into its own – hand held, single frames.
Thanks, Mark. Sounds easy! 😉
It is difficult to start but practise makes so much easier. Never onerous though when there is pleasure involved.
Very stylish hairdo haha, beautiful shots
Yes indeed, the original punk rocker. :-)
Thanks L …