Wonder

Ours is a dynamic and fascinating world.  Travel allows for cultural exchanges that tend to foster respect, tolerance and humility — an ongoing reminder that our values are culturally based and no more absolute or correct than those of others.  Time spent outdoors in the company of trees, insects, birds, animals and all that inhabit the natural world tends to nurture the same three attitudes: respect, tolerance and humility.  We need not travel to exotic locations to experience the wonder of others and the natural world and feel connected to them.  As E. O. Wilson suggests, wonder and excitement may exist much closer than we think: “To the extent that each person can feel like a naturalist, the old excitement of the untrammeled world will be regained.  I offer this as a formula of re-enchantment to invigorate poetry and myth: mysterious and little known organisms live within walking distance of where you sit.  Splendor awaits in minute proportions.” Wislon, E. O. (1984). Biophilia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press,  p.139.

The following series of photographs are included: Brown Bears of Katmai (Alaska); Gators of Brazos Bend (Texas); Giant Tortoises (Galapágos); Great Migration (Wildebeests East Africa); Mount McKinley Massif (Denali National Park); The White Cliffs (Upper Missouri River); Yellowstone Volcano (Yellowstone National Park).