Blogs & Ecology

Teko Mbarate:Struggle for Life (detail), Rigo 23

Art inspired by nature never fails to reflect the wonders of the world that we seldom have the opportunity to see, or often take for granted. Environmental artists have a knack of presenting their works in natural habitats, which makes us think more about the fragility of the planet, especially when their pieces decay or change over time. And some artists share their ideas of the planet through installations within an exhibition space.

Image: Tora Bardal

The wonders of technology allow us to get further under nature’s skin and view things often invisible to the human eye. Since the 1600s, when the microscope was invented, we have been privy to the magical world of all sorts of miniscule beasties but now with the range of cameras available photographers are able to capture these images without ever having to don a white coat.

Image:withrow

When thinking of snowflakes and frost, your memory tends to give you subtle hints: it’s translucent, abstract, beautiful and short-lived. Nothing however, can prepare you for what abstract masterpieces icy nights may bring. Flourishes of Jack Frost’s brushstrokes envelop windscreens in fractal crystal and transform into icy autumn leaves, crystal ferns and mathematical shapes. Jack Frost is an abstract artist.

Image: Roadnottaken

Sometimes the best pics speak for themselves. The photographer had seen the cat and mouse face off with each other a twice before this image was captured. Flickr user Cloud Nine was sitting on the grass, camera in hand, ready to shoot, just in case it happened again. This image is the result. Check out the expression on the mouse’s face. It’s as if it’s been captured mid-sentence. Very cool.

Image: heatherkh (taken underwater so is not the sharpest of images.)

Your first response may well be ‘Is that thing REAL?!’ and no one would blame you in the slightest. However, while this luridly multicolored insectoid monstrosity may at first appear to be an elaborately designed model, rest assured that the little fellow is very real - right down to the stylish purple beret.

Tree House Lodge

Save on the risqué Tarzan and Jane costumes and explore your inner animal at one of the world’s most breathtaking tree-top getaways. Whether it’s bare-bones lodging or some back-woods luxury these tip-top wonders are sure to amaze. So, back away from the Blackberry, strap on some boots, grab your mate, or someone better, and go climb a tree.

Image: Kenneth Catania

While the grammatically inclined may be wondering where the apostrophe went in the name of the Go Green Initiative's school of the week way back when it was founded, but the simple truth is that they’re doing amazing things to help educate kids about the environment while making an impact on our world today at the same time. And with fall upon us, they've got a program running that's right on target for the season....

You may think it sounds crazy, but Illinois recently became the first state to decree that bass fishing is now a high school sport. And I’m wondering how high school coaches and athletic directors feel about it, because I can say with certainty that it’s going to raise more than a few eyebrows among some of those I know....

When the National Military Family Association recently teamed up with a local 4H Group in North Carolina to create Operation Purple Camp they certainly had a tremendous reason for doing so. Because their efforts allowed the children of parents away at war to spend some time in the great outdoors while building, repairing and maintaining the refuge that is a part of Medoc Mountain Park in North Carolina....

It's the greatest show not on earth, the Perseid meteor shower that happens tonight and early Tuesday morning. The full moon mucks it up earlier in the evening, but sets at about 1:30 EDT. The peak is estimated to be at 1100 GMT or 7:00 AM EDT, and you might see as many as 60 meteors per hour (although I have seen more than that for short bursts)

You will be seeing the remains of comet Swift Tuttle, as the earth passes through its tail. There are other showers that are almost as nice, but for northerners this is the only one in nice weather....

richard carlson

Imagine it’s twilight - you’re lying on the grass, staring in the sky and familiar shapes appear in the swirling cumulus. The clouds look like demonic marshmallows that infect the sky. They transform into amazing faces, beautiful fish, flying saucers and demons. These are some of the unknown wonders of the natural world and we’ve decided to compile a list of 30 of the most incredible, for your viewing pleasure.

Image by hackdaddy

Howard Nemerov said “Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow’s speed.” But what about the amazing effects and contrasts of light and dark. In their invisible race to the finish line, what effects or phenomena do they create? We decided to explore 20 of the most stunning images for your viewing pleasure

Green Grows the Grass?