I’ve been thinking lately about how we humans have distanced ourselves so much from the natural world, sometimes we forget we are a part of it. Not only is this disconnect bad for nature, I truly believe it’s not good for people either. I notice this sometimes when I post a photograph involving predator and prey. It’s fascinating to me when I see a bird of prey killing and/or eating another animal. I can’t help photographing it. I was even joking with someone the other day about the Canada goslings which have hatched recently in large numbers, calling them “eagle snacks.” It’s true that the bald eagle, which has not been seen around this lake for a couple of months, has recently been spotted again.

The person I was talking to was repulsed by my joke. I meant no harm, and I certainly don’t wish death on any of these cute little fuzzballs, but it is the natural balance that they won’t all make it to adulthood. There is only room in the world for a certain number of geese and nature tends to oversupply in order to assure a reasonable survival rate. I notice that many people find photographs of predators with prey repulsive. I think they are beautiful.

There are drops of blood from the fish among the water splashes in this photo. I could probably edit them out and sanitize it more, but that would remove some of the beauty in my opinion. The more disconnected we become from the natural cycles, the less we embrace and accept them. To be repulsed by nature is to deny you are a part of it. For at least twenty years, my natural habitat was a cubicle. It wasn’t a healthy environment for me, and I can’t help but wonder how many others out there are feeling trapped inside while longing to be outside. Since I’ve started going out into nature nearly every day with my camera, I’m much happier and less stressed.

Don’t get me wrong–I love hot showers and I would hate to have to spear my dinner–but I think there is a balance needed between living in the civilized world and living in the natural world. Our ancestors had fears of cougars and hungry coyotes. We have fears of not making the mortgage payment and losing our possessions. Each person has a balance of their own to reach. I’m still working on finding mine, but I know nature photography has helped. I hope my photographs also might help others in some small way who are striving for their balance. Bringing a little nature into your day, no matter where you are, or what you happen to be doing, might move you closer to your balance.

Often, when I am out in nature, especially near the ocean or the giant redwoods, I feel very small. But, small in a good way. As if I’m but one tiny, intricate bit of a vast, amazing, integrated totality that’s always changing and evolving. My balance involves knowing that life is all too short and that whatever amazes me today may not be there tomorrow.

So, here’s to the joy of feeling small, and finding a balance.