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So true .... so very true .... "We often think of peace as the absence of war; that if the powerful countries would reduce their arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds - our prejudices, fears, and ignorance. Even if we transported all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the reasons for bombs would still be here, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we would make new bombs. Seek to become more aware of what causes anger and separation, and what overcomes them. Root out the violence in your life, and learn to live compassionately and mindful." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh After I read the quote by Thich Nhat Hanh today, and was still reverberating from how much it resonated with me, I googled him. I knew nothing about him. How can that be, I wondered? I never cease to amaze myself at how little I sometimes know. Here's what I found out about this man on http://www.plumvillage.org:  Thich Nhat Hanh "One of the best known and most respected Zen masters in the world today, poet, and peace and human rights activist, Thich Nhat Hanh (called Thây by his students) has led an extraordinary life. Born in central Vietnam in 1926 he joined the monkshood at the age of sixteen. The Vietnam War confronted the monasteries with the question of whether to adhere to the contemplative life and remain meditating in the monasteries, or to help the villagers suffering under bombings and other devastation of the war. Nhat Hanh was one of those who chose to do both, helping to found the "engaged Buddhism" movement. His life has since been dedicated to the work of inner transformation for the benefit of individuals and society." READ FULL BIO Thây teaches that dwelling in the present moment is the only way to truly develop peace, both in one's self and in the world. I'll leave you with the last sentence of his quote and let you ruminate on it: "Seek to become more aware of what causes anger and separation, and what overcomes them. Root out the violence in your life, and learn to live compassionately and mindful." JUST IN CASE YOU WONDERED How do you pronounce Thich Nhat Hanh? The English pronunciation is: Tik · N'yat · Hawn
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Spain, the world capital of prostitution? [Straight From www.independent.co.uk] "Europe's largest brothel opened in a land where no fewer than 39 per cent of men admit to visiting sex workers." Writing for the http://www.independent.co.uk "Spain's sex trade continues to flourish. And, in one way, it is literally more visible than ever: recently, in an attempt to cut the number of road accidents, the police in Lerida, Catalunya, issued the prostitutes working in out-of-town lay-bys with fluorescent waistcoats." This is no exaggeration. Prostitution is so popular (and socially accepted) in Spain that a United Nations study reports that 39 per cent of all Spanish men have used a prostitute's services at least once. A Spanish Health Ministry survey in 2009 put the percentage of one-time prostitute users at 32 per cent: lower than the UN figure, perhaps, but far higher than the 14 per cent in liberal-minded Holland, or in Britain, where the figure is reported to oscillate between 5 and 10 per cent. And that was just those men willing to admit it.
To meet this vast demand, an estimated 300,000 prostitutes are working in Spain – everywhere from clubs in town centres to industrial estates, to lonely country roads to roadside bars, the last often recognisable by gigantic neon signs of champagne bottles or shapely females, flashing away in the darkness. And recently, on the French border, Club Paradise opened with 180 sex workers, making it the biggest brothel in Europe. As the clubs get larger, the clients get younger. According to studies carried out for the Spanish Association for the Social Reintegration of Female Prostitutes (Apramp), back in 1998 the typical client was a 40-year-old married male. By 2005, however, the average age had dropped to 30 – and it appears to be getting lower. "The kids are going because they see it as a quick way of getting what would take a lot longer to happen if they went to a disco," Alvaro says. "You've got the money, you choose the woman you want and it's all over and done with." His own logic is even more brutal: "I go when I don't have a girlfriend." There is no single reason, though, why prostitution should be so popular in Spain. Historically it has long been seen as an expression of individual freedom – first as a pressure valve for the strait-laced family-focused environment of the Franco years (when prostitution was quietly ignored), and then consolidating itself after the dictator died. Then, as now, brothels would be listed in the yellow pages, albeit under the coy title of "nightclubs", and nobody batted an eyelid. Among the young men of the Spanish provinces, even in the late 1980s, sleeping with a prostitute was no longer something you did as way of losing your virginity: it could actually be seen as cool. In the 1990s, magazines such as Interviú, which prides itself on its investigative journalism, would think nothing of publishing "erotic guides to Spain". Even today, all-male business dinners can end up in the local "club". "Every now and then I have to take clients," says one accountant who did not want to be named, "but it's OK. They take credit cards." If the roots of Spain's acceptance of prostitution ultimately lie with the sexual and personal repression of the Franco years, the most curious hangover from the sexual revolution is that, even today, most "'serious" newspapers carry adverts for prostitutes. In the Madrid issue of one major national daily, 75 or 80 per cent of small ads are for prostitutes, offering all manner of services with prices from ¤20 to ¤200. Plans to eliminate the so-called "contact ads" appear to be on a kind of permanent hold, partly justified by the precarious economic state of Spain's print media. However, the underbelly of a trade which is legal in Spain but not recognised as an actual job is far from pleasant, with human trafficking constantly rearing its ugly head. In 2009 alone, Spain's Ministry of the Interior detected 17 international crime rings involved in sexual trafficking in Spain. Between January and April of this year, according to the newspaper El País, the authorities identified 493 cases of women sold into sexual slavery. Yet that makes no difference, it seems, to the clients who pour through the doors of the brothels. "There is a clear lack of awareness as to what is going on," says Marta Gonzalez, a spokeswomen for the Madrid-based NGO Proyecto Esperanza, which helps women who have been victims of trafficking. "Clients don't realise that many of these women could be victims of trafficking. Lots of people would be more wary if the prostitutes were clearly under lock and key or had obviously been subject to physical abuse. They don't realise that all it takes is a death threat to their families back in Nigeria or Brazil, and the woman is already being coerced into prostitution." The laws in Spain are of little help either, with prostitution currently a permitted activity – but with no labour rights. "They're already frequently leading a double life or are considered social outcasts and often are in dire need of money," said a Spanish Red Cross social worker running a healthcare programme for prostitutes. "Add the lack of legal rights, and they're a clear target for exploitation." On top of that there's Spain's recession. "Economically the women I'm dealing with are at the end of their tether, and the lack of other employment possibilities makes everybody more nervous about keeping clients. In the process they put themselves at risk, too. They'll be more willing to accept it when a client doesn't want to use a condom, for example, to be sure they get him to sleep with them." When prostitution and trafficking overlap, the legal situation grows even more discouraging. "Glitches in the legislation mean that an identical crime is punished less severely here than, say, in Germany." Ms Gonzalez says. "Forcing someone to prostitute themselves in Spain gets from two to four years in prison here, while human trafficking gets five to eight. But because the latter charge often can't be proved effectively because of poor legislation, the criminal gets the lower sentence." VISIT THE ABOLITIONIST PAGE Looking for adventure or actually some misadenture? Don't have enough trouble of your own? The Mongol Rally promises to stir things up for you. It's a wacky 10,000 mile trip in a vehicle that is nearly guaranteed to break down. But that's all part of the plan. This Mongol Rally caught my eye because my friend is on day five of walking 1000 miles across Mongolia. (Read the blog posted right before this one.) Until I came across this rally, I never knew something like this existed. You can judge for yourself whether it's something you'd like to do or something you put in the 'why in the world would someone do that?' pile. Click below to read about this unusual way to beat boredom.    My buddy, Mike Prehis, is walking a 1000 miles across the Mongolian desert to raise funds for needy children in Mongolia. He's enroute right now! I met Mike in Nepal on a trek to the base camp of Mt. Everest. We've kept in touch ever since, seeing each other once a year when he lands in Denver. He has traveled the world twice over. His story telling escapades usually have me uncontrollably laughing. Read about his Mongolian adventure below.  Straight from South Florida: Mike Prehis is a retired airline pilot who makes his home in Wilton Manors, however he does not take his retirement lightly. His vacations do not involve midnight buffets and planned excursions, often times they seek to give back to the international community. In fact his entire vacations seem to be...excursions. In May, Prehis will leave the comforts of home to join 12 other thrill seekers as they trek 1,000 miles across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.They will also have an eight camel caravan to carry their gear. The trek, in addition to offering “really bad dust and sandstorms, heat stroke, extreme temperature fluctuations, blizzards, equip- ment failure and injury” will benefit schools in Mongolia. Schools around the world are also invited to interact with Gobi2011.com so students can experience what life in an indigenous Mongolian village.Through the website, trekkers will blog about their once in a life time experience. “We are raising funds with a charity called edurelief.org to benefit school children in Mon- golia,” said Prehis.“you can send a kid to school in Mongolia for as little as $20 per month.” READ FULL ARTICLE For more information on Prehis and his adventure, please visit Gobi2011.com How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. - Annie Dillard A GLIMPSE INTO MY SUNDAY AS SEEN THROUGH MY CAMERA LENS  "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein  Taken May 22, 2011 - Black-crowned Night Heron - Click image for FACT SHEET "I am only one. But still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." - Edward Everett Hale  Avacets - CLICK FOR FACT SHEET I had a good day; lots and lots of walking, and lots and lots of picture taking. The really cool thing was rescuing two new honey bee swarms! Thanks goes out to Alicia for letting me know they were there and to Cedar for getting the boxes and assisting me. Cedar is also transporting the bees for pickup later tonight or tomorrow. The bees will have a new home at a friend's farm on the western slope of Colorado. I'm excited for them. It was great to save the bees before the next rains come. I learned the hard way after loosing more than half of the last swarm. (You can read about it here.) Few things turn out like I think they will, but this time it went like clockwork. A small ladder fit in my car. I used it to reach the two swarms that were each formed on a branch in two separate trees. The branches were small. I was able to peel off each branch without disturbing the swarm, and laid the whole branch with the bees in a box. Most of the bees just stayed in the swarm and went right into their respective boxes.  A new swarm of bees near the last one from last week "If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." - Mary Engelbreit  A 2nd swarm next to the one pictured above. They're next to each other in a tree. "People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves." - Salma Hayek  Blue Heron - "Eye on the Prize" We more frequently fail to face the right problem than fail to solve the problem we face. - Anonymous  In about two seconds from this pose, the heron dove under water but came up empty Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out. - John Wooden  "Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." - Anne Frank  "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt  "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." - Elie Wiesel  "It is essential that justice be done, and it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different." - Oscar Aria  "You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth." - Shira Tehrani  "Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all -- the apathy of human beings." - Helen Keller  "Know what's weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change, but pretty soon...everything's different." - Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes  There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can circumvent, or hinder, or control a firm resolve of a determined soul. - Anonymous  click to read about the BUMBLE BEE - Taken May 22, 2011 I've been trying to get some good photos of bumble bees. A few weeks ago, I saw the largest bumble bee ever. I was a nano second from taking a photo with my macro lens when it flew it off. From the gigantic size, I'm guessing it was a queen bee foraging as she waited for the workers bees to develop. Bumble bees and honey bees are very different. An impregnated queen bumble bee hibernates by herself in the ground in the autumn. All the other bees die off before winter. Each spring, the queen makes a new colony by laying a first batch of eggs, from which larvae emerge after 4 to 5 days. She feeds the larvae herself in the beginning, doing all the foraging for nectar and pollen, but once the worker bees are born, the queen no longer leaves the nest. I probably won't have another photo op of a queen until next spring! I've seen four bumble bees since, all much smaller, and today was the only time I've been able to get a slightly decent shot. I follow the bee all over when I spot one. They are so beautiful. I wish I could find a nest of bumble bees! I'm looking .... :) Click on the bee to read bumble bee facts.  Black-crowned Night Heron I've never seen a Black-crowned Night Heron! I emailed a photo to a friend to identify it for me. (Thanks, Ron!) This is another first. I love that! I had several of those today.  Furry little bumble bee! May 22, 2011 Never, never, never give up. - Winston Churchill  I was getting cabin fever with all the rain of late. Felt great to get out and explore this morning. I experienced another first; always a favorite thing to do. I got to see my first baby ducks! Baby life of any sort always warms my heart. It's just a huge dose of awwwww. And I love it. A Blue Heron was out today too. They are such exotic and graceful birds -- a real treat to see. Lots of turtles were sunning on logs and so many birds were out flying around and seemingly rejoicing in the dry, warm morning. ALL PHOTOS BELOW WERE TAKEN 5/20/2011  Baby ducks  Mom with her 5 ducklings    Blue Heron  Blue Heron  Blue Heron in flight  Blue Heron about to land I haven't seen the baby geese in about a week. I can't believe how much they've grown! I first began photographing them on the day before Mother's Day.  baby geese  Daddy Robin When you pay very close attention to wildlife you begin to learn how the littlest details become very telling. I walked by this robin and something about the way he was acting made me stop. I had the feeling a nest was nearby. Sure enough, I spotted the mom sitting in her nest, no doubt keeping her eggs warm and safe.  Mommy Robin sitting on her eggs  I was photographing the ducks when this little guy came running up to me. He was so attentive and curious. I love the intent look on his face.  I'm convinced if more people got turned on to nature, and gained an interest and respect for all the life around them, that there'd be more harmony. I seriously believe world leaders should only discuss politics and peace plans after they've spent a few hours on a nature walk with each other.
FIRST THE SWARM A bee swarm is the natural means of reproduction of honey bee colonies. A new honey bee colony is formed when the queen bee leaves the colony with a large group of worker bees. The process is called swarming. Swarming mainly occurs in the spring. While the bees are in a swarm (pictured below) 'scout bees' are sent out to look for a new location for the hive. When one is found, the swarm will fly together to make a new home. HARD LESSONS Friday, May 13th was the first day for this swarm of honey bees pictured below in the extraordinary shape of a heart. The weather was sunny and warm. The home hive was located in a nearby tree about fifteen feet above ground.  The next day the swarm had grown and reshaped. The photo below was taken on the morning of March 14, 2011 -- Day 2. It was healthy and thriving at that point. The scout bees were no doubt out looking for a new home. But nature had other plans. A spring storm was fast approaching and within hours the temperatures plummeted and the rains came; torrential rains. They lasted for two straight days.  I worried about the bees over the weekend, but I didn't know if I should intervene or let nature take its course. I thought about somehow putting a tarp over the bees and at least protecting them from getting soaked, but it was a public park and I didn't think the tarp would last long. I also didn't want to smother them. What I should have done was call a bee keeper that day.  What I learned came at the great expense of these beautiful bees... I waited until the rains stopped to check on the bees and by then, less than half had survived. They were all on the ground and looking very weak. I made the call to a bee keeper at that point to come get the survivors. I didn't even know if that was something beekeepers would do. I found out it definitely is.  THE RESCUE The beekeeper, Matt Ketner, pointed out the queen bee. I'd seen her when the swarm was first forming. Wherever the queen goes, the worker bees will follow. Matt put the branch of bees in the box and then put the box on it's side to let the other bees crawl in on their own, which they began to immediately do.   Some of the bees were so exhausted from little food and all the energy expended to keep warm that they couldn't even walk into the box. They were scattered around the ground so Matt gently tried sweeping them up, but he had another job to go to, so some bees were left behind.   I dropped the cup of bees with Matt and picked up one of his $10 jars of honey. Later in the day I discovered one bee left over in my car. I felt sorry that she didn't get to go with her family. I was with my daughter running errands when I found the bee walking along my door. My daughter is adopting my love of bees and asked if there was a way she could take the bee home and wondered what she could feed it. My daughter has always been one of the most compassionate people I've ever met. She would do anything (good and loving) for a friend and has been an animal lover from the time she was very little. When I taught her to fly fish and she caught her first trout she was so excited. She came running up from the pond below our cabin with the fish cradled in both her small arms asking for a bowl of water to put him in. When I explained that he was for dinner, she was aghast! All she wanted was to have him as a pet. She never fished after that. At the age of 9 she became a vegetarian. But that's another story for another time. This is my bee story. So, back to the lone bee in my car. I was going to let the bee out but the last time I saw her she was on the back seat. I couldn't find her after that. I like to imagine she flew away and found her way home.  Click to see a lot more bee photos and information on honey bees  "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson  Bee swarm on May 13, 2011 "I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright." ~Henry David Thoreau  Honey bee gathering pollen - May 13, 2011 "Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." ~Rachel Carson  Honey bee gathering pollen - May 13, 2011 "Climb up on some hill at sunrise. Everybody needs perspective once in a while, and you'll find it there." ~Robb Sagendorph  Ant "The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do." ~Galileo  "Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers - for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are." ~Osho  "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." ~John Muir  Roly Poly "Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." ~Kahlil Gibran  "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." ~Lao Tzu  "Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another." ~Juvenal, Satires  Swarm of bees May 13, 2011 "I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me." ~William Hazlitt  Close up of bee swarm by Betsy Seeton "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein  Swarm of bees May 13, 2011 "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." ~John Burroughs  "There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough to pay attention to the story." ~Linda Hogan  "If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive." ~Eleonora Duse  Gosling There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me. ~Thomas Jefferson   Don't know what kind of bug this is ... my best guess is a ladybug ... ?    Roly Poly all closed up - by Betsy Seeton  Roly Poly  A rolled up roly poly  Roly Poly on his back opening up "The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." ~ Henry Miller ~  Honey Bee - by Betsy Seeton  Honey Bee - by Betsy Seeton  Muskrat - by Betsy Seeton Communing with nature is such a part of me. I never tire of it in much the same way I never tire of seeing a sunrise or sunset. It's just one of those things that has no expiration date or a "done that, been there" sort of feeling. No matter how many times I see birds and wildlife, it makes me feel excited like the way I used to feel when I was a little kid. It's as close to feeling something magical that I get to experience every single day. And I don't have to spend a dime! How sweet is that?! I love that something that is so fun and so soul feeding doesn't empty my pocket book. All the photos here were taken between May 5th and May 8th of 2011.  Baby Geese - May 8, 2011 May 7th I spotted these baby geese this afternoon; 11 babies in all. Mom and dad stayed close along with a relative. (I'm guessing it was an aunt or uncle or maybe just a close family friend.) It's my first time seeing wild baby geese! I was with them for about an hour. No people were around for the first 45 minutes. They all swam close to the shore line and came onto land twice. One independent baby swam away from his family and chose his own path toward shore where I was calling out to him. He landed all by himself and then his ten siblings along with mom and dad came after him. I could barely contain my excitement at seeing all the babies waddle on to the shore.  Photographed on Mother's Day 2011 How do you tell how old these babies (aka gosling) are? "If the baby goose is still all covered with soft down, it is under 2 weeks old. If you can feel prickly little feathers, it is between 2 and 4 weeks; if you can see some feathers it is over 4 weeks, and fully feathered, it is grown." source: http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id27.html  baby geese - by Betsy Seeton From pictures I've seen of baby geese, I estimate these little darlings to be a few days old to as much as a week old. They were wobbly when they waddled. It was the cutest thing. I feel so lucky to have seen them. As I was heading back to my car I thought about how the world would be a more peaceful place if more people experienced nature more often and gained a compassionate connection to the land and life. I was filled with the wonder that seeing a baby anything makes me feel.  I believe with every fiber in my being that honoring and appreciating nature is an important ingredient in the recipe that could one day bring peace. It undeniably gives me inner peace. I've come a long way since I first started photographing my honey bees back in mid-February. I have a new (used) lens that allows me to get a couple of inches from my subject. I stood in the pathway to the beehive where the stream of bees were flying in and out of the hive like rush hour traffic and the buzz was loud and thick. There's such a rush of energy all around me when I'm in that zone. I put my hand on the tree right beneath the entrance to the hive near the guard bees. No bee was alarmed. I really think they know me.  Honey bee just barely holding on I often wear black, yet I've heard that's not the color to wear around bees. I've never had an issue though. Some of the bees would land on me, but most of them just flew around me like I was part of the natural environment. I love that. In a world so divided, and our own nation lacking harmony and togetherness, it's comforting to find a place so inviting and to feel like a part of something. I've said it before about my bees, but it's worth saying again. I love how they have a live and let live attitude. More people need to adopt that philosophy, as long as no harm is being done.  Honey bee gathering pollen from this dandelion - by Betsy Seeton  Honey bee flying into the tree hive full of pollen on May 6, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton  Pelican May 5, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton What a spectacular bird! "It might seem to be impossible for birds of their size to float on top of the water, but the American White Pelican has the advantage of air-filled bones and air sacs that are located in their bodies. In contrast to other pelican species that dive from great heights to catch food, the White Pelican simply glides around, scooping fish out the water with its immense pouch. As the pelican is bound to scoop as much water as he does fish, the pouch is able to hold about 3 gallons of water. And instead of swallowing gallons of water with his meal, he bends his bill downward to drain the water, and then lifts his head up, to let his catch slide down his throat. An adult American White Pelican can eat approximately four pounds of fish a day, with preferred choices being that of jackfish, shiners, catfish, carp and yellow perch." Source: http://www.birds.com/species/a-b/american-white-pelican/  Pelican May 5, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton  AMERICAN AVOCET
"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence." Henry David Thoreau  I think this is a yellow jacket or a ground bee - by Betsy Seeton  Taken May 6, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton  This honey bee was stretching and lifting her back end over and over. I don't know what she was doing it for. It looked like she was working out a leg cramp! by Betsy Seeton  Taken May 6, 2011. This honey bee was hanging by one of it's legs and just barely able to hold on. After this photo, she dropped to the ground unharmed. by Betsy Seeton  Taken May 6, 2011. This is another photo of inside the hive. It's a busy, busy place! by Betsy Seeton  Honey bee diving into pollen on this dandelion - by Betsy Seeton  May 7, 20011 - Honey bee by Betsy Seeton My goal in all my photography is to capture the personality of all things living.  Red Fox Squirrel - by Betsy Seeton I still had my macro lens on when I came upon this little guy after leaving my bees. I started talking to him and instead of darting off like the squirrels often do, this guy came toward me and just sat like he is in this pose. I asked him to wait while I put on my other lens. I just kept talking to him as I made the switch. He actually sat there looking interested! I love first times ...  Taken May 6, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton "Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." Hans Christian Andersen  I love the feeling of this flower presenting as an abstract piece of art. The beauty in nature is truly glorious, isn't it?! The colors, shapes, textures, scent and detail are endlessly tantalizing.   Turtle Row More baby geese photos below from Mother's Day 2011 by Betsy Seeton  I haven't been to my bee hive in a couple of weeks. It was great to see them today. It was late in the afternoon and so cool and cloudy I thought the hive would be fairly quiet, but it was the busiest I've seen it. Bees were landing all over my camera and me today. Pollen was steadily coming in! I was glad they still seemed to recognize me. I've missed them.  Pollen laden honey bee climbing up the tree to the hive by Betsy Seeton  Climbing to the hive May 3, 2011 by Betsy Seeton (I added this image to the photos from March 3rd's blog My Latest Buzz)  May 3, 2011 Honey Bee by Betsy Seeton I wonder what it means when the antennaes are bent like they are in the photo above? I often see them much straighter. If you're reading this and you know the answer, please let me know!  May 3, 2011 - Bee struggling to hold on by Betsy Seeton  May 3, 2011 - Bee struggling to hold on by Betsy Seeton Bees do not do well in water. This little gal was drowning near the edge of the pond below the hive and I rescued her today. You can see her wet fuzz.  Honey bee May 3, 2011 by Betsy Seeton  The hive on May 3, 2011 by Betsy Seeton As I left the bees I noticed how much is beginning to bloom. What a lovely time of year -- except for the all wind. I get really tired of it .. Would you pay $4 - $6 million dollars for this painting?  Being auctioned by Sotheby's New York at an estimated $4 - $6 million dollars How about paying $350,000 to $450,000 for this cute metal sculpture?  Will be auctioned off at Sotheby's on May 4th 2011 for an estimated $350,000 - $450,000 If you had $12 million dollars would you spend it on this painting called "Woman with a green fan?  "Woman with a green fan" is estimated to sell at Sotheby's auction for as much as $12 million dollars The Emperor's New Clothes A translation of Hans Christian Andersen's "Keiserens nye Klæder" by Jean Hersholt Many years ago there was an Emperor so exceedingly fond of new clothes that he spent all his money on being well dressed. He cared nothing about reviewing his soldiers, going to the theatre, or going for a ride in his carriage, except to show off his new clothes. He had a coat for every hour of the day, and instead of saying, as one might, about any other ruler, "The King's in council," here they always said. "The Emperor's in his dressing room."
In the great city where he lived, life was always gay. Every day many strangers came to town, and among them one day came two swindlers. They let it be known they were weavers, and they said they could weave the most magnificent fabrics imaginable. Not only were their colors and patterns uncommonly fine, but clothes made of this cloth had a wonderful way of becoming invisible to anyone who was unfit for his office, or who was unusually stupid. "Those would be just the clothes for me," thought the Emperor. "If I wore them I would be able to discover which men in my empire are unfit for their posts. And I could tell the wise men from the fools. Yes, I certainly must get some of the stuff woven for me right away." He paid the two swindlers a large sum of money to start work at once. They set up two looms and pretended to weave, though there was nothing on the looms. All the finest silk and the purest old thread which they demanded went into their traveling bags, while they worked the empty looms far into the night. "I'd like to know how those weavers are getting on with the cloth," the Emperor thought, but he felt slightly uncomfortable when he remembered that those who were unfit for their position would not be able to see the fabric. It couldn't have been that he doubted himself, yet he thought he'd rather send someone else to see how things were going. The whole town knew about the cloth's peculiar power, and all were impatient to find out how stupid their neighbors were. "I'll send my honest old minister to the weavers," the Emperor decided. "He'll be the best one to tell me how the material looks, for he's a sensible man and no one does his duty better." So the honest old minister went to the room where the two swindlers sat working away at their empty looms. "Heaven help me," he thought as his eyes flew wide open, "I can't see anything at all". But he did not say so. Both the swindlers begged him to be so kind as to come near to approve the excellent pattern, the beautiful colors. They pointed to the empty looms, and the poor old minister stared as hard as he dared. He couldn't see anything, because there was nothing to see. "Heaven have mercy," he thought. "Can it be that I'm a fool? I'd have never guessed it, and not a soul must know. Am I unfit to be the minister? It would never do to let on that I can't see the cloth." "Don't hesitate to tell us what you think of it," said one of the weavers. "Oh, it's beautiful -it's enchanting." The old minister peered through his spectacles. "Such a pattern, what colors!" I'll be sure to tell the Emperor how delighted I am with it." "We're pleased to hear that," the swindlers said. They proceeded to name all the colors and to explain the intricate pattern. The old minister paid the closest attention, so that he could tell it all to the Emperor. And so he did. FINISH READING THE STORY I’ve seen this quote by Mark Twain floating around the internet tonight, “I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.” I raise a glass to that...  A little less evil is on the planet now. I send out a special congratulations to the incredibly brave and talented team who participated in the successful plan that ended bin Laden's life. Read: BBC Obituary
Read about the women in Osama bin Laden's life . Come back and click here for another article about bin Laden's life. Also read: Analyzing bin Laden's Jihadi Poetry |
 Betsy Seeton
I'm an artist, writer, photographer, private investigator and an activist in small ways.
"Turning indifference into making a difference."
MY PHOTO BOOK
GETTING IN TOUCH WITH NATURE is my new website devoted to my photography, books, and art.
  My LADYBUG book is filled with beautiful images & inspiring quotes. Click here for more info.
 All photos are for sale at Betsy's Art Gallery  Email Betsy   Amely-James KOH BELA is fighting child trafficking in Africa and throughout several continents. Read my interview with her.  CLICK FOR BEE PHOTOGRAPHY  Mahoot Elephant training in Thailand with Kaew,  Adorable French girl growing up in Africa with wildlife photography parents - more pictures of Tippi Degre  I visited the Tiger Temple in Thailand & later found out it is under investigation for tiger trafficking and animal abuse. Read full story. In 2015 it was raided. More than 100 tigers and protected bird species in Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua, popularly known as the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi province were impounded by authorities following complaints that the temple was alleged to engage in illegal wildlife trading.    photos for sale as greeting cards and framed prints or posters. Click to go to my online Art Gallery  "The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." ~ Henry Miller  FREETHEBEARS.ORG - Learn about bear farming and bear paw soup. This torture must end! DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS helps people worldwide where the need is greatest, delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from healthcare.
 Connect with Jasper, The World Ambassador of Animal Rights & Welfare on Facebook! Read about life in the woods with Chippy & the crew...
What greater atrocity is there on this planet than to sell a human life and brutally force him or her into a life in the sex trade or endless labor? And how dare we abuse, kill and traffic animals in the name of profit... in the name of anything for any reason!
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