I photographed this tropical butterfly in a pavilion thousands of miles away from its native Asian habitat. As is often the case, I do a little investigating and thinking after taking the photo. I learned that many butterflies die in transit despite efforts to package them in the safest way possible. I confess that knowledge ended my interest in photographing captive butterflies. Any future shots by me will be taken in the wild. The argument in favor of butterfly pavilions is that they foster an appreciation of butterflies and educate the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats around the world.
Nature
Here the beaver seems to be nonchalantly munching on a twig. But wait! Is a beaver, symbol of industriousness, ever nonchalant?
This is a custom home the beaver built or helped to build for the family. It’s located in a fine (for beavers, at least) southeastern Virginia neighborhood: The Great Dismal Swamp.
These four images may be the very last ones of penguins that I ever post! Have I said that before?
These penguins, mostly Gentoos, huddle together against the swirling sand of the Falkland Islands.
These stately King penguins are taking a stroll along the shore of South Georgia Island.
Can anyone figure out why this penguin is named a Chinstrap?
And last, but certainly not least, this King penguin chick is not yet ready to learn what will become its most amazing skill: swimming.
First it has to lose the hair!
This coastal gorge along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, is named after the English clipper ship Loch Ard that sank nearby in 1878. Of the 54 people aboard the clipper, only two nineteen-year-olds survived. Both of them floated in through the narrow opening in the distance.
To the right of the gorge opening and protected from the sea by its high walls, is this quiet cove with its waters lapping gently against the rock face and spilling silently onto shore.