Beauty not the same thing to everyone

Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder. That saying is one of the most true there is.

Mankind sees things in a different way. Some see things as beautiful, while others find them disgusting, or even terrifying. Some are haunted by an image while others want to capture the image forever. There are those who look to movies or art to find beauty that they “cannot” fond in life. When I heard about the Avatar movie causing people to be depressed because of the beauty this imaginary planet held I wondered why people missed the beauty of the world we have. I thought possibly because they cannot see the beauty that lay in front of them is what might have made it so easy over the years to pollute the way we have. No this is not about climate change or global warming, but the beauty people cannot see in the world we have.

Beauty that I certainly can see and I am sure others can as well. But some find disgusting and a list of other words used to describe things they do not like. In some cases people might just miss the beauty that lay at their feet.






















Of course some of the creatures could hurt us, is we bother them. But more so how often do people hurt them instead.

I could point to beauty that is all over the planet. Things most people would agree with such as waterfalls, rainbows, landscapes, or even cute cuddly animals. But often times we miss the true beauty that is in front of our eyes.

With all of the winter weather going on and things being “gloomy” and with wars and hardships across the world I only want to point to the beauty we have. Open your eyes if ever you think our planet is boring, dull or simple. You might be amazed with what you see.

Raist


[edit on 2/5/10 by Raist]

Hi and thanks! Although not a spider lover, I do respect them, and I was able to find much beauty in some of the photo's, as well as lots of humor.

Some of these little critters are just funny-cute.

But yes, we can find awe in the tinest creatures, and thank you for taking the time to express this sentiment.

reply to post by Raist


Hi Raist! Those are some really great pictures!! And makes your point that much better! I would agree with what you say about beauty.. Its a very diverse topic! And each person has their own personal feeling, and chemical reaction when it comes to beauty..

I would like to add one thought here.. I feel that our vision of beauty is one of the many things holding us back from what is beyond our meager mindset!

How many humans on this Earth will kill something, or crush it just because they think its gross or are scared by it.. Such as some of the spider pics you posted!

I have always thought of these little creatures being a part of our life test!
This is why I will go out of my way to not kill bugs or creatures!
I will do my best to capture them and let them go outside..

As all these different forms of beauty IMO is a test!

If we can not handle little creatures who look differently than us? What would we do if we came across a race of beings so different than us, we would either be scared of them, or just want to kill them out of that primal mindset..

Thanks for posting this... I still feel these forms of beauty is a true test..
And mankind has failed horridly at this test..
Not all of us.. But most people fail when it comes to letting the different or scary looking things live..
They could also just be bugs too, and nothing more to it..
But to me.. Its more than that.. Its a test to who we really are...
Actions speak louder than words.. And what we do when confronted with something so different than us.. We show our true colors.

reply to post by Raist


Nice pics. I look at spiders and think, wow did evolution really create that? Or was it something more intelligent?

Gah, I guess i'll find out later

Very interesting

Thanks for the replies.

I cannot say that I never kill certain things. I do spray my home every year for spiders because in this neck of the woods the Brown Recluse is very abundant.




And while I do find it to be a very beautiful spider I also have a son and wife that I need to keep safe as well. These spiders love to get into the basement, garage, and attic. And can cause some serious damage to a person.

Other than that any other spider or bug that makes its way into my home I take out side so that it can be free. I guess in a way that makes me hypocritical on that point but that spider does make me rather nervous when it comes to my son. Maybe after he gets older I will not bother so long as he understands how to protect himself. The Brown Recluse is actually a really cool spider, but for now I have to make sure it stays out of my home.

Raist

Here are a few beautiful things as well.
Some slime molds.


Some more creatures.





This bat has suction cups on its wings.

This one does not.




Sort of makes you wonder how much the media controls what people think is beautiful, whether it involve nature or people.

I guess I have always been odd because I liked the oddball animals and creepy crawlies that most everyone else hated. That did not go over well with my mother when I was a kid either. I brought home numerous types of creatures almost daily.

Raist

reply to post by Raist


Again thanks for posting such great pics to go along with your thread!
Also thanks for keeping it simple, as the simple thoughts can really bring alot of light to any given subject!
Keeping your family safe from harmful insects, plants, or other animals is one thing of human beauty. We protect ourselfs, and our families as any other lifeform on this Earth.

Thus I would have to say.. Protecting yourself and your family is not on the level of just killing something because its different, or is scary!

I think you have the right idea, and granted, in my lifetime I have killed and gone down that road until I started to get a bit older.
As a younger child, I think many of us did such things.

But as you get older, you start to see the beauty in many things, and in many lights!

Thus doing what you do is upon the natural path...
No one wants to sleep with these critters, or have them in our homes..

But we all live on the same planet.. And if a bug, or animal type is in its place.. I just admire it, and go on with my life..

Those who seek them out in their natural homes, and kills them.. Is where I draw the line.. But that is getting a big off topic... So I will end with that..

And thank you again for such lovely photos!

Thanks Raist, you made me remember a one weird thing that happened before to me..I had this somewhat big spider in my house and I didn't notice it until I actually put my coffee cup on its leg, I felt so bad that I got a glass bowl (a pretty big one) put some leaves and stuff in it for the spidey and he stayed with me for a day, (I caught some flies for him because I thought he couldn't move too good and like I said, I felt sorry) I named him Boris (Well, I do like The Who so please, bear with me) And I felt sad when I noticed next morning that he had left, but still, it was a great lesson for me.
Thanks for making me remember.

And yeah, if I had noticed him before accidentally almost squashing him, I would've just escorted him out of my house to my backyard, I dont want to hurt other living things, but I don't enjoy "bugs" in my house either for various reasons, so I try to get them back outside as nicely as I can

reply to post by Klavier


I once found some lizard eggs and placed them in an old ice cream container (back when you could get the plastic gallon bucket) in sand until they hatched. Mom never found them because when she looked in they had not hatched yet.

I also did the same with a praying mantis and it laid an egg case on the branch I had with it. They all hatched and I had to sneak them out as well.


I also have a similar spider story to the one you told. As I said I spray for brown recluse and even put down sticky pads by the door going to the garage on the garage side. I have caught a few wolf spiders and gently used forceps to lift their little legs off the sticky pad so that I could let them go. A few have lost a leg or so but at least they will grow back.

Some more cool photos.
Blue Sea Slug











Raist

Time to add in some beautiful landscape shots. I again will point to the idea some have that our world is boring, lame, and nothing as beautiful or interesting as fantasy movies/art work.

I will say open your eyes because you are wrong to any who say that.

Super beautiful















Raist

Wow Raist, nice pictures. You're taking the kinds of shots I wanted to but never got the $ to put in to a good lense. So much beauty at the micro level, insects are total marvels of gods' engineering.
I agree that being able to find th e beauty in all nature is the key to happiness and social evolution, it's easier to generate respect and empathy for things we find beautiful.
S and F!

reply to post by Asktheanimals


Oh no these are not my shots. I wish I had the dollars to make these trips. Sorry if I mislead you in any way that I might have taken these photos.

These are just some of my favorite shots I have seen across my internet wonderings. I love going across the web looking for photos of the world I cannot travel to but can still get a chance to see because of the internet.

This is why I think our world is so beautiful. Nothing in fantasy has ever come close to the living things and terrain of our world.

Raist

Originally posted by Raist
Here are a few beautiful things as well.


Sort of makes you wonder how much the media controls what people think is beautiful, whether it involve nature or people.

I guess I have always been odd because I liked the oddball animals and creepy crawlies that most everyone else hated. That did not go over well with my mother when I was a kid either. I brought home numerous types of creatures almost daily.

Raist

Thanks for share this awesome collection of how to look at animals with you're eyes.
Very rare i consider anaimals as something i'll hate, so i agree with you're points. Still i can't get myself to think a spider is "beautiful"

I was thinking that the Ghayeaye, that little cute guy, i've seen a look alike before. Just this one got red eyes. From this website, you may already know :
webecoist.com...
worthwhile checking out.
Also thanks for share the nature pics. They're just awesome...
I wish for you, that on day you will, eventually go there. Animals sure got a instinct for pure heart. They wont fear you. That's what i believe and wish for you





[edit on 7-2-2010 by flymetothemoon]

reply to post by flymetothemoon


Thanks for sharing the link.


Some of those critters are very unusual and I have not seen before.

I am really impressed with the Kakapo.



Raist

[edit on 2/7/10 by Raist]

Originally posted by Raist
reply to post by flymetothemoon

 

Thanks for sharing the link.


Some of those critters are very unusual and I have not seen before.

I am really impressed with the Kakapo.



Raist

The Kakapo... A parrot that doesn't fly. The little mountain "monkey"...Really i love that too...
Ah, Critters. That's a "classic"

Oh my God !

This thread and the ATS members posting !
You make me feel like i'm going to cry from the absolute happines I feel reading this all.

I also try my best not to kill on perpose. ( little beings i mean )

Love, peace to you all

[edit on 7/2/10 by Sinter Klaas]

really cool I have never seen some of these creatures so its a treat. Though they are creepy. Would like to see more anyone got a link to some unusual?

reply to post by flymetothemoon


Critters.

I was raised in the country and lived near a small town. Now I live in a small city not far from the small town.

I also grew up watching the Beverly Hillbillies


Raist

Here are a few others as requested.







Some of those last ones came from here.
worldmustbecrazy.blogspot.com...

Here is a Mudpuppy, very popular in the rivers near here. If you night fish you catch a lot of them.


Hog Nosed snake: the only North American snake that can make a hood similar to a cobra.





Anyone else can feel free to add things they think are beautiful as well. If it is one of your favorite photos of nature or wildlife feel free to add it.

Raist

reply to post by Raist

"Critters" Funny movie

You did add some more pics. Wow ! A "Mudpuppy". Something exotic like that, i've also never seen before. Thanks

Enjoy the "Tasmanian devil"


Lets say, i found a "nice" pic.

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial now found in the wild only in the Australian island state of Tasmania. The Tasmanian devil is the only extant member of the genus Sarcophilus. The size of a small dog, but stocky and muscular, the Tasmanian devil is now the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world after the extinction of the thylacine in 1936. It is characterized by its black fur, pungent odour when stressed, extremely loud and disturbing screech, and ferocity when feeding. It is known to both hunt prey and scavenge carrion and although it is usually solitary, it sometimes eats with other devils. The Tasmanian devil was extirpated on the Australian mainland at least 3000 years ago,[3] well before European settlement in 1788. Because they were seen as a threat to livestock in Tasmania, devils were hunted until 1941, when they became officially protected. Since the late 1990s, devil facial tumour disease has reduced the devil population significantly and now threatens the survival of the species, which in May 2009 was declared to be endangered. Programs are currently being undertaken by the Tasmanian government to reduce the impact of the disease.

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