Pictures Have Power
The greatest enemy of conservation is apathy. Imagery can break apathy. Pictures have power! National Geographic Photographer David Duoubilet
Apologies, I’ve been absent without notice. I have been traveling again, that’s one excuse, but it’s the devastating news streaming from the US that stalled my creative process. Feelings of fear, anger and betrayal had a paralyzing impact on my psyche, sapping my energy and motivation.
I know I’m not alone, many of us, including American friends, are feeling helpless and outraged. When I feel sad and discouraged, I find strength in family, friends and community. I turn to nature for healing. If we forget what is good true and beautiful in this world we are truly lost.
Recently I found hope and joy when my son and I discovered a newly hatched painted turtle slowly creeping across the driveway towards a pond 100 meters away. The driveway was the first life-threatening challenge ahead, next was a stone wall then an open field. If the turtle wasn’t flattened by a tire, it could be stopped by the wall or swallowed by a rodent or a bird before it reached his destination.
What a beautiful feather design on the orange plastron of this turtle’s shell!
Weeks ago the mother turtle made the journey from the pond to the lawn to lay her eggs. Baby turtles are completely independent. Mom does not stick around to direct them back to the pond. I scanned the edge of the driveway and found another turtle emerging in the grass. The moment of birth!
Despite incredible odds, these two newborn turtles set out on their journey, destination unknown. There was no time to be discouraged, no time to be sad. An unseen force guided them towards the water. With the intention of minimizing their peril, we scooped up the coin sized reptiles and carried them closer to the pond. Hopefully our conservation effort increased their odds of survival.
If those tiny beings can undertake their journey without hesitation, then surely, I can continue with my commitment to tell stories and share images of the wonder of our natural world to inspire others. Pictures have power!
Adult painted turtles in the pond last spring
Photography and conservation go together. Images speak a universal language. Inspired by nature’s example I got back to work. Giving up on fighting oppression and human and environmental destruction is not an option. Nature reminds me we are not alone. Elbows up! Onward!
Ancestors of the next generation
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