Urban Jungle Monk

Posted in Life, Love, Macro Photography, Mantis, Meditation, Nature, Photography, Relaxation, Spirituality, Sustainability by Mark on 31/07/2015

The solitary visible resident of the remnant forest car park lay head down on a post. An awkward angle but a still subject, unmoving, as if deeply focussed.

Unblinking metallic eyes, all-seeing atop a long stubbled neck, arms folded in prayer, not unusual for a Mantis.

Focussed … is one word could describe this momentarily statuesque creature, free of the need to think.

Simple natural intelligence, ubiquitous and so rarely realised.

Tagged with: Human Nature, Life, Love, Macro, Spirituality, Sustainability

30 comments

30 Responses

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Oleg Komarickiy said, on 30/10/2015 at 1:07 am

Great shots Mark!
Oleg from Russia

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- Mark said, on 30/10/2015 at 9:27 am
  
  Thanks Oleg from Russia. :-)
  
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Godfried said, on 01/08/2015 at 9:46 pm

Never saw something like that before.. beautiful insect.

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- Mark said, on 03/08/2015 at 3:17 pm
  
  Indeed Godfried … wonderful looking creature.
  
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Jane said, on 01/08/2015 at 6:50 pm

Such brilliant shots as always. They are so beautiful. I love the sheen, the patterns and the textures on your macro shots. The details are beautiful. We often go about our daily lives unaware of the amazing tiny world around us. When I get down close to insects, flowers and other small treasures, I feel like I enter another world. It’s so relaxing to do that. In the same way it’s relaxing to lie back and stare at the stars and the moon and the clouds. I think it helps to unwind all those layers of stress that we put on ourselves when we focus on being “busy” and getting things “done”.

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- Mark said, on 03/08/2015 at 3:42 pm
  
  Thanks Jane. They are the overlooked natural wonder at our feet. And if they are ever examined closely it is usually for how to make a profit from them, dead or alive – the world we live in.
  
  It is a long time since I lay back and looked at the sky, usually I’m standing up to minimise bug invasion, especially of some ants and ticks – here on the Oz east coast – snakes are out now too.
  
  The real value of nature, as I see it, is it is less easy for the mind to work on it with thought by association and endless speculation. So sense and sensation, of the body, can have some space while the mind is off its ‘busy’ and urgent job of useless thinking.
  
  You’re right, it is another world and relaxation is the key …
  
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- Mark said, on 06/08/2015 at 3:09 pm
  
  BTW Jane, if you want to meet up for an easy walk some time I’m still game, after a week or so. Whenever suits …
  
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  - Jane said, on 06/08/2015 at 3:53 pm
    
    Thanks, Mark. I’ll let you know. Now that Uni has started, I don’t have as much free time. It would probably have to be a Sat or Sun. :-)
    
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standingoutinmyfield said, on 01/08/2015 at 12:45 am

Mantis flies are the coolest little dudes! Excellent shots!

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- Mark said, on 01/08/2015 at 1:59 am
  
  Thanks Firefly. They are in the running all right, lots of cool dudes and dudettes about … :-)
  
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Nikki Sharp said, on 31/07/2015 at 11:56 pm

Hi Mark, I love seeing all your photos and reading your stories, it’s very inspiring.

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- Mark said, on 01/08/2015 at 1:57 am
  
  Thanks Nikki. A pleasure to be of service … :-)
  
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Alexander Lautsyus said, on 31/07/2015 at 10:29 pm

Some kind of exotic insect. Beautiful portrait on the third picture!

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- Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 11:14 pm
  
  Thanks Alexander. Exotic is their name …
  
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afrenchgarden said, on 31/07/2015 at 8:15 pm

What a beautiful creature. you have revealed the beauty with the lens that I’m sure we would have missed in real life. Amelia

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- Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 9:11 pm
  
  Yes, it is. Thanks Amelia.
  
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Dina said, on 31/07/2015 at 7:33 pm

Magnificent!

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- Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 8:00 pm
  
  Thanks Dina … Hanne.
  
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SAN_jeet said, on 31/07/2015 at 1:14 pm

Looks like alien Monk
unique … and interesting post

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- Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 5:00 pm
  
  Thanks Sanjeet. Is he the alien, or am I … What is that, in the mirror of nature, a reflection of?
  
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  - SAN_jeet said, on 01/08/2015 at 2:17 am
    
    He is alien and that HE is bug
    
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    - Mark said, on 01/08/2015 at 2:42 am
      
      :-)
      
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BeeHappee said, on 31/07/2015 at 12:38 pm

These images are incredible, my kids, 4 and 7, love your pictures of bugs. :)

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- Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 5:02 pm
  
  Thanks Kristina. Hello kids, 4 and 7 – unusual names, glad you like the amazing little creatures at your feet. They do great work.
  
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David said, on 31/07/2015 at 12:06 pm

You really have some fantastic looking insects in your country and I think you do a fantastic job of photographing them.

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- Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 12:30 pm
  
  Thanks David. It is sub tropical here so some exotics are normal but I think everywhere has its characters. And at macro magnification it’s all exotic.
  
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  - David said, on 31/07/2015 at 2:42 pm
    
    I think you’re right Mark about everywhere having its characters, I guess it just boils down to the grass/insects always looks greener/more exotic on the other side of the fence.
    
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    - Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 4:55 pm
      
      True, and so ‘they’ say be where you are. And where I am is in the first instance the sensation, gets rid of the greener grass syndrome.
      
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spartacus2030 said, on 31/07/2015 at 9:00 am

Great shots! Unusual looking bug! Thanx for the treat :O)

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- Mark said, on 31/07/2015 at 11:31 am
  
  Thanks … You’re welcome.
  
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