I connect people to nature through art, information design, and storytelling. I write a weekly newsletter about nature, design, and hope. See my work at marisamorby.com.
Design & Nature Reimagined: Finding wonder
Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read
ISSUE #59
I normally don't talk politics in this newsletter but we're at a moment where I'm so angry and scared and sad about what's happening and what we've somehow allowed to happen. I really believe that one thing that helps us have the courage to keep trying is hope. Believing that something can and could be better. Believing that we deserve better. Something that gives me hope are all the people doing amazing conservation work and research. Science matters and today I want to highlight a few of these people so you can see their amazing work firsthand. This week's newsletter is mostly pictures, because, let's be honest, we all need something beautiful (and even funny) to look at right now.
Sometimes, octopus ride jellyfish as little floaties to scoot around the ocean. Rebecca R. Helm is a marine biologist and professor who shares fascinating and fun marine nature facts. This is a paper nautilus octopus taking a jellyfish out for a spin. Turns out the octopus actually steer the jellyfish, using them both as a way to get around and a way to defend themselves from predators.
A paper nautilus triumphantly rides a jellyfish through dark ocean waters. Photo via Instagram.
The wonderful photo above was taken by Songda Cai, a nature photographer whose ocean photography is absolutely stunning. I've often said that the ocean is like an entire alien planet and I think his photos support that.
A juvenile diamond squid. At birth they're translucent and as they age their body becomes more opaque. Photo via Instagram.
These Neofinetia orchids are delicate, beautiful, and smell of jasmine and honeysuckle. Photo via Instagram.
A Pleione orchid, which loves cool and shade, and has a beautiful bloom. Photo via Instagram.
Joel Sartore is a photographer for National Geographic and for the last 25 years has been working on a project called Photo Ark to photograph and share the beauty of nature and inspire action to save biodiversity. So far they've photographed over 16,000 (yeah you read that right) species. Honestly he's a new role model for me. What a project! These are a few of my favorites.
This is the long-eared jerboa and this little guy can LEAP, using that long tail for stabilization. Photo via Instagram.
Aye-ayes are a nocturnal lemur species in Madagascar that have been part of bad fortune myths. Ongoing education and eco-tourism is hoping to change the perception of these spooky-cute friends. Photo via Instagram.
Ringtail cats are great climbers and can even scale cacti! They can rotate their hindlegs 180 degrees so getting back down is no problem. Photo via Instagram.
I hope these pictures calmed you as much as they calmed me. I want us all to remember that there's still so much beauty and wonder in the world. It's worth protecting and worth fighting for.
I connect people to nature through art, information design, and storytelling. I write a weekly newsletter about nature, design, and hope. See my work at marisamorby.com.