Master Your Art

Posted in Consciousness, Life, Love, Meditation, Nature, Photography, Spirituality, Sustainability by Mark on 15/04/2016

Wonderful woody Shield Bug, with bonus blue sky.

Jewel Bug, wag those antennae at me.

Wandering Weevil on the tree trunk.

Healthy looking fly, a type rarely seen in the garden

Hopper on the dead tree full of life.

Cricket amongst the leaf litter.

She is laying while he appears to be guarding …

Out in the field, on the edge of the forest, myself and Deb – AussieBugs – went exploring. For bugs, what else.

There is always something to be found when you take your time, some places are better than others, everything to its season.

There are no rules but to walk, watch and wait. What presents nobody can design. That’s something you have to rest in, not knowing, and accept what comes.

Everything has its time, learn from whom you can, how you can, and be grateful. But eventually you have to stop looking over your shoulder at what others think is right or good, that’s past, or passed.

In the endeavour to improve, remembering what once was or thinking what others may think, however masterful they may be, eventually casts its own sticky web.

Of course there’s always another angle or composition to be explored, whatever the art.

And it’s all for peace of mind, what else …

Tagged with: environment, Human Nature, Insects, Macro, Relaxation, Truth

32 comments

32 Responses

Subscribe to comments with RSS.

Khürt Williams said, on 06/05/2016 at 2:31 am

Are these insects dead when you shoot them?

Reply
- Mark said, on 06/05/2016 at 6:31 am
  
  Yes, all alive, and in the wild – no studio shots generally. You can tell a dead creature when you see it, it usually looks dead. :-)
  
  Reply
  - Khürt Williams said, on 06/05/2016 at 7:14 am
    
    Wow! How do you do it? I’ve tried doing macros of insects and they are generally not co-operative. :-)
    
    Reply
    - Mark said, on 06/05/2016 at 7:23 am
      
      It always seems that way in the beginning. See here for the rundown – https://beingmark.com/macro-illustrated/ Respect is the key, employing a gentle approach.
      
      Reply
      - Khürt Williams said, on 06/05/2016 at 11:30 am
        
        Thank you!
        
        Reply
        
        Mark said, on 06/05/2016 at 12:06 pm
        
        :-)
photoleaper said, on 18/04/2016 at 7:48 am

Super photos and great advice!

Reply
- Mark said, on 18/04/2016 at 9:38 am
  
  Thanks Kathy.
  
  Reply
shivanicosmos said, on 18/04/2016 at 4:56 am

Really beautiful pictures…

Reply
- Mark said, on 18/04/2016 at 9:41 am
  
  Thanks Shivani.
  
  Reply
puzzleblume said, on 15/04/2016 at 5:31 pm

All fascinating living gems to take more care for when trespassing through nature.

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 5:39 pm
  
  Indeed, but only the ignorant and careless are trespassing. Anyone who considers these creatures gems is of the Earth’s true royal line, consciousness. 0_0
  
  Reply
Jane Lurie said, on 15/04/2016 at 3:47 pm

Fantastic world you bring to us, Mark. Brilliant colors and clarity.

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 5:33 pm
  
  Thanks Jane. Stick an achromat on your zoom lens and you’re off … chasing bugs around the garden. :-)
  
  Reply
David said, on 15/04/2016 at 12:51 pm

All the photos are great but I like the fly because it looks as if it is wearing a lucha libre or Mexican wrestling mask.

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 2:29 pm
  
  Thanks David. You know, it might be called a Mexican Masked Fly? :-) But let’s not tease the ‘scientist’ too much …
  
  Reply
treesshrubs said, on 15/04/2016 at 8:59 am

Magnificent Mark! I specially love the wandering weevil : ) Trees

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 9:21 am
  
  Thanks Therese. They are in a class of their own …
  
  Reply
Gordon said, on 15/04/2016 at 8:40 am

Mark, I really appreciate your reverence for the life and processes you are observing and your generosity in sharing not only your amazing photographs but also your thoughts. Sometimes I get frustrated because the subjects are not identified, but then I remember that “naming” comes between us and life.

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 9:24 am
  
  Thanks Gordon. Yes, naming is a compulsion of mind and when it’s denied frustration ensues. And with practise of focussing on sense the frustration of mind fades – the wolf you feed.
  
  You have probably noticed it, naming, is almost entirely mental, while sense is a separate reality.
  
  Try it, name something, then see (sense) it without naming. Two different worlds.
  
  Reply
Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature said, on 15/04/2016 at 6:18 am

These are fantastic!!! I love every one! I love weevils, and that hopper looks almost like a sea creature. Both the shield bug and the jewel bug!! I just could hardly pull my eyes away from them. All so clear and detailed. You are a wizard, Mark!

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 7:06 am
  
  Thanks Mary. Yes, the hopper is a funny fishy one.
  
  It might be time for some magic, we’ll see. :-)
  
  Reply
standingoutinmyfield said, on 15/04/2016 at 6:08 am

Spectacular as always, I just LOVE those weevils.

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 7:02 am
  
  Thanks Firefly. I think I have a good series of them, maybe for next time …
  
  Reply
  - standingoutinmyfield said, on 15/04/2016 at 11:16 pm
    
    Your photos are always so lovely :)
    
    Reply
    - Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 11:48 pm
      
      Thanks, I have great material to work with. :-)
      
      Reply
      - standingoutinmyfield said, on 16/04/2016 at 12:04 am
        
        And also incredible talent!
        
        Reply
        
        Mark said, on 16/04/2016 at 3:40 pm
        
        Hmm, I’m not sure what that is … but thanks. :-)
        
        standingoutinmyfield said, on 17/04/2016 at 11:55 pm
        
        Oh or maybe skill from many hours of practice :)
        
        Mark said, on 18/04/2016 at 12:45 am
        
        That too … :-)
Fiona McLellan / Dan Werkman said, on 15/04/2016 at 4:54 am

Awesome Macro. I like the pictures and you are totally correct in what you are saying.Dan

Reply
- Mark said, on 15/04/2016 at 7:01 am
  
  Thanks Dan. When the storm rages it doesn’t pay to look back. :-)
  
  Reply