Our Leonine Nature
Water, one of life’s simple pleasures. The sense, or essence, of it …
Bees, what would we do without them. I have heard people use feather dusters in some places where the bees have died out, to pollinate the crop.
These are a healthy lot too, looking strong and well groomed. Lion-like with their big manes – is what they remind me of.
That they are feral, gone wild in a local forest, might be significant to their health. Having nobody exploiting them.
No doubt they have their difficulties but they can always be seen to take clean water from near the flow.
Never doubting their common purpose or function, as bees.
Being free of our questionable chemistry.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click a picture for a closer look
*
Nature's Place 
Such magnificent creatures as is your photography! :,))
Thanks Therese … it helps to have these little beauties to work with.
I never really know what to say when I look at your stunning close-ups, Mark. All I can think of is how beautiful these creatures look at such close range and how happy I feel just being able to see the images on my screen. So thank you, Mark. :-)
The images are intended as a window to another world, not just to the amazing world of insects but a world in and behind all nature, of light and beauty, that for some – more than others – shines through. A world that words can point to but don’t really touch, in fact words – forms of mind – obscure it, for the mind to whom words are all important. An invisible world whose ‘effect’ is the earth, the starry – moonlit sky … but not beyond recognition or acknowledgement, for those who can see. :-)
Thanks Jane.
Among my favorite insects: generally sweet-natured and beautiful, as well as immensely helpful to other species. Lovely images.
Thanks Cate.
Sweet natured, and defensive. You don’t want to get close to a feral hive with a flash gun then.
Helpful how? I am not aware …
Helpful to humans… and to some species of plants.
I thought the reference was to behaviour not commonly known.
Nice commentary on health and freedom from exploitation. True of bees, Nature, people.
Thanks Jan. It’s fundamental, isn’t it, pain hurts, whether giving it or getting it, it’s not good in any degree – but serves still.
Yes. Hopefully it serves to motivate change for greater harmony.
I’d say most people in pain are unhappy – the condition of discord, until they learn to separate the sensation from the emotion, because emotion amplifies physical pain and generates more psychological pain. So unless one loves the pain of unhappiness, and some do, the movement is always towards less unhappiness. No need to hope, it’s inevitable, and eventual … The rub is there has to be ‘enough’ pain in order for it to be a service in self mastery. And the question arises, what’s enough?
I agree emotion definitely heightens physical discomfort . . . I think it’s even true with mosquito bites. As for the balance of pain and progress, I’m reminded of physical exercise. How much stress on the body is enough to grow in fitness and how much is just too much and causes injury.
In fact the more you think and get emotional about mosquitoes the more there are, within prevailing conditions. If one is intelligent about it the connection becomes apparent and the (intelligent) movement is towards less emotion. Not everybody is intelligent, yet … and it’s a life-long lesson.
Well said!
“Never doubting their common purpose or function, as bees.
Being free of our questionable chemistry.”
Beautiful words to go with stunning images. Thank you Mark.
Thank you Susan. A little acknowledgement makes the flowers grow. :-)
If an ‘intelligent life form’ out there in the universe got just these images from our planet . . . along with, say, the soundtrack of a Brandenburg Concerto . . . would make for some interesting headlines in that world.
A strong image, but as long as this world overlooks the simple wonders of this earth another world is but an if. ‘If only I didn’t overlook it while I had it.’ That world is already where you see it … or there is no other world than the one we realise here? Da da da dah …
That’s for sure, Mark, I completely agree :)
:-)
Bees!
Lions!
Haha!
:-)
I like the comparison to lions. Beautiful.
Thanks Lyle. There is a quality in the natural things, whether it’s a bee or a lion, an absence – of internal division, conflict or calculation. It’s the same quality in people, when there is the absence.
Beautiful images. Thanks for posting these.
Thanks Julie.
Incredible macros!!! STUNNING!!!!!
Thanks AmyRose.
Like a lion mane, yes indeed. I was admiring them myself, thinking I can barely see couple pieces of dust on them. My hair would not look that clean from this close up. :)
Beautiful pictures.
Thanks Kristina. For me the beauty is behind the form, in the innocence of being the bee is.
Did you read about Monsanto wanting to create a new version of (the dying) bees from flying ants? Crazy stuff. Why not just save the bees. http://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/group/gmo/forum/topics/instead-of-natural-bees-monsanto-wants-gm-flying-ants
Dr Frankenstein I presume. Have you noticed, our horror stories have their basis in our human nature.
The bees will be saved if there is seen to be more profit (gain in some form) in it than in the alternative. I don’t think it’s a ‘done deal’ the bees will disappear but it looks like depending on the perception of self interest by people with questionable priorities. At present I wouldn’t bet on the human race transforming itself into a benign earthly influence, but it’s possible.
Spot on focus.
Indeed, everything else hinges on that.
Yes it does.
At every level of being. :-)