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PHOTOGRAPHY by BETSY SEETON

If Only

“If I had influence with the good fairy, who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantment of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things artificial, and the alienation from the sources of our strength.” ~ Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder

What I See
by Betsy Seeton

Tiny life exists all around us and flourishes in a world all its own. Rarely is it seen or experienced by humans except when it evokes fear, annoyance or a big yuck factor. I discovered this under world – this jungle metropolis below my feet-- quite by accident. It all began with one wild honey bee who unknowingly led me to her thriving hive in an old hollowed out oak tree the winter of 2011. I visited that hive nearly every day for months and got to know the bees on a first name basis. We developed a kinship, truly a mutual trust, and I could take my camera to within inches of the hive entrance and photograph as long as my heart desired without ever getting stung. That’s when I first fell in love with bees. The sound of their buzzing was melodic and soothing. A year later I wrote a book about bees and filled the pages with color photos of my bee adventures.

From there, I noticed ladybugs, butterflies, and caterpillars, and then wasps, and creatures I’d never taken much notice of before, like dragonflies and damselflies and spiders. This tiny life world opened up my own. I began witnessing marvelous things. I've seen life and death struggles, fear and stress, and territorial fights. I’ve photographed a paper wasp head butting a honey bee off a flower, while using a back leg to kick another one off. I’ve seen a honey bee defend herself and dive bomb the wasp. That’s rare though. Honey bees are not aggressive when they’re out gathering nectar. Bumble bees are even tamer. I would handle all of them – the bees, the wasps, the bumble bees, dragonflies, butterflies and grasshoppers - with bare hands.

Insects, like most life forms, have a strong desire to survive. They want the basic necessities just like we do: food, water and shelter. Some are quite communal, while others prefer a solitary life. I've seen creatures be curious, playful, trusting, cautious, and literally having fun. I would even say they have distinct personalities.

My goal through the use of a camera lens is to bring their world into focus, to expand our own. I want to share my belief that all life matters. My photography passion extends to all animals, birds and reptiles. I posit that if the human race embraced that single concept -- all life matters -- we'd be closer to peace on this beautiful and glorious, but quite messed up planet.

“Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts;
the sight of the deep-blue sky and the clustering stars above seems to impart a quiet to the mind.”
― Jonathan Edwards

PHOTOGRAPHY IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AS LIMITED EDITION PRINTS. IT'S AVAILABLE ON CANVAS, METAL, TILE AND PAPER, AND COMES FRAMED OR UNFRAMED. DIGITAL COPIES ARE ALSO FOR SALE. THE ONLINE STORE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

“In nature nothing exists alone.”
~ Rachel Carson

"COME GIVE AUNT RITA A BIG HUG!"

2013 - Jasper and Bear make Photo of the Day in the UK!

Made into the online National Geographic magazine!

BORN FREE USA PHOTO CONTEST:

click to read more and see the winning photos

This is Jasper with the U.S. flag. He has his own blog and Facebook page.

An excerpt from my BEE INSPIRED book:

"Bees have brought a savory sweetness into my life, just as surely as they bring sweetness to the table with their honey. They have been the light on my darker days. When I need to regenerate my weary soul, I head to where I know the bees are busy. I have my favorite spots where I bathe in their energy. I know how strange this sounds to non-bee people. How I would love to open their eyes and hearts to this simple joy and wonder of nature. I try capturing a little bit of their magic through my camera lens, but like all the best things in life, nothing compares to experiencing it in person. My hope with this book is that, as you flip through these pages, you will be inspired to get more familiar with these lovely creatures, and will also choose to learn about the plight of bees around the world as they face an uncertain future, right along with our own."