Change is the handmaiden Nature requires to do her miracles with. – Mark Twain

Handmaiden moths, with their striking colors and transparent wings, mimic venomous wasps in their body shape and the position in which they hold their wings. They are, however, harmless and beautiful creatures, day flying members of the Arctiidae or Tiger moth family—seen here performing their domestic duties in true handmaiden manner in the flower gardens … More Change is the handmaiden Nature requires to do her miracles with. – Mark Twain

Observe her powers of purpose, intuition and grace

Readers of Hemingway’s The Snows of Kilimanjaro may see the leopard as portraying grace, strength, courage and dignity, as an animal that pounces with purpose, lightening speed and accuracy. Capturing this archetypal hunter’s beauty through the lens of a camera is a quest in its own right. Known to hunt during the dark edges of … More Observe her powers of purpose, intuition and grace

A bird is three things: Feathers, flight and song, and feathers are the least of these. – Marjorie Allen Seiffert

And yet it was the watercolored feathers of this Lilac Breasted Roller, perched on a post in the grasses of Tanzania, that above all, beyond its clear call and acrobatic flight, captured my heart. * * * Lilac breasted roller, Tanzania. Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2010.

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. ̶ Jawaharlal Nehru

Living and feeding on the rocks just above the sea spray, these delightful little Sally Lightfoot crabs captured the attention of Charles Darwin during his voyages to the Galapagus Islands. They remain there today—as well as on rocky Pacific and Atlantic coastlines—presenting their charm and beauty for open eyes and minds to see. Many have spoken … More We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. ̶ Jawaharlal Nehru

Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way. — John Muir

Elephants are particularly social animals, living in tight matriarchial family groups. When a calf is born, adults and others of the herd will gather around the newborn, touching and caressing it with their trunks. Quick to stand and follow their mother and family herd, newborns are the center of attention in their family groups and … More Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way. — John Muir

Serengeti Sunrise

Symbolically, Acacia trees represent immortality, innocence, initiation of life. Considered sacred by the ancient Hebrews, its wood was said to be used by Moses to build the Ark of Covenant. A thorny tree, it is believed to have been used to make the crown of Christ. On the Serengeti, where this photo was taken, it shelters the … More Serengeti Sunrise

Sweet Spots in Glass Award Introduced to Help Keep Vision of Joy Alive

As originally written, Life Is Full of Sweet Spots was dedicated to those who might look to the sky and see its rays of hope, breathe the air of the sea, of the garden, of home, and be energized with open minds and joyful hearts. Sadly, events such as the Sandy Hook school shootings, the … More Sweet Spots in Glass Award Introduced to Help Keep Vision of Joy Alive

Reason Enough to Be

The great master artist, Leonardo da Vinci felt the artist had a special advantage when it came to realizing the most complete and magnificent view of the infinite works of nature. If the artist wishes “to produce places or deserts, or shady or cool spots in hot weather, he can depict them. … If he seeks … More Reason Enough to Be