Editorial
Reviews:
"Nature's glory captured
with guts and grit ... a regal collection of
photos ... some of nature's most hard-to-get-to
wildlife." John Barry (Miami Herald,
September 26, 1995)
"...a stunning
photographic book on the pelicans, flamingos,
cormorants, herons, eagles, and spoonbills of the
Florida Everglades." (The Book Review, San
Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 19, 1995.)
"A true celebration of God
in nature by a sensitive and aware woman."
Ann Guilfoyle, Former Senior Editor of Audubon
Magazine, Publisher/Editor of the Guilfoyle
Report.
"Brilliant photographs
coupled with wise words, Janie Greene's Dancing
Feathers is a triumph and an inspiration."
Patricia Caulfield, Author of Photographing
Wildlife; and Capturing the Landscape with
Your Camera.
"The book is more than
lovely; and the message profound! What a
treat!" Bobby M. James, Former First Lady of
Alabama.
"Words are inadequate to
express the joy I found reading and reviewing
Dancing Feathers. It is, of course, a world class
book. The photography is breathtaking-- so
vividly candid-- one truly senses the
"place", physical and spiritual, where
you created these images... BRAVO" Rhea
Chiles, Former First Lady of Florida.
Book
Description:
Share the wonder and
adventure of southern swamps, ponds, and
rookeries through Janie’s captivating nature
photography of wading birds and soul-soothing
inspirational essays. "These birds are some
of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on
earth. Known to bird lovers as
"waders", they include the Snowy Egret,
the Blue Heron, the Roseate Spoonbill, and others
too numerous to mention. Brilliant in plumage,
graceful in flight, serene in repose, these birds
congregate by the hundreds in rookeries (breeding
grounds for different species of birds) where one
is afforded an unparalleled opportunity to
observe them in their natural habitat."
The
Inside Flap:
After a night’s
rest, I was back in the rookery in the pre-dawn
hours wanting to photograph the birds in that
first warm glow of early sunlight. Getting all
the equipment in was a chore, but once I was set
up, it was like drinking a cup of pure, blissful
joy. Back home, I’d always loved
photographing my roses in their different stages
of bloom, but here in the rookery were flowers
that flew, flowers that cried out in anger,
flowers that sang... beautiful flowers with
wings. As I set up my tripod, I looked back at
the dark tree shadows spilling themselves flat
over the field behind me, leaving in the wake
millions of sparkling dew drops hanging like
Christmas ornaments on the stems of the grassy
carpet. I was thankful I’d found my way once
again to the place that made my heart sing.
The
Back Cover:
In Dancing Feathers,
Janie Greene takes us on a journey of discovery
through her reflective essays, and sensitive
photographs. In pursuit of her need for solitude,
we accompany her as she uncovers secrets to a
more fulfilling life. Each step along the way
brings us closer to a deeper appreciation of
nature as we are transported by her words and
photographs into the mystical realm of southern
swamps, ponds and rookeries. Dancing Feathers
takes us on an inspirational journey into the
world of nature as it explores Nature’s
truths, embraces a love and care for the earth,
and exalts God and His creation.
Author's
Comments:
I began making
photographic trips at a time when I was filled
with self doubt and too scattered to even know my
name. Breaking the pattern of my life, I, who for
the past thirty-seven years of marriage never
ventured far from home unless I was on the arm of
my husband, suddenly decided to go to a
photography workshop in the Everglades.
Photographing the birds beside Patricia
Caulfield, a talented female nature photographer,
changed my life. I discovered my bliss and became
a passionate bird and nature photographer.
After that each
time I left one photographic expedition tired and
exhausted, I couldn't wait for the next one to
begin. I was like a person driven, trying to
catch up with the years of undeveloped skill, and
learn more about nature photography. Oftentimes
my husband joined me. He encouraged me, and
repeatedly helped me get some of my best
photographs, especially when I had to approach
the rookery from a boat. Most of the time, the
nesting areas were in swamp-like areas surrounded
by water and patrolled by alligators.
Peering through
the lens of my camera and focusing on the beauty
of nature gave me unexpected rewards. I learned
and relearned many lessons in life that
emphasized values I'd long cherished, such as
loyalty, beauty, simplicity, balance, patience,
and growth according to life's rhythms.
In taking the time
for solitude there in the primordial swamps, I
did more than learn about nature. In the many
beautiful scenes coming to me each day, I
experienced nature and God's presence in it. It
gave me a greater understanding of my
individuality, brought the fragmented parts of
myself together, and helped me realize the
importance of the individuality of all persons. I
was able to deal with my many problems by
surrendering them to God and came away with a
greater love of His creation and His marvelous
gift of Himself to others and me through that
creation.
Chapter
Excerpt:
From Chapter 1: Nature's
Pattern
The air is cool
this May at my Alabama home. I’m glad
because it gives me extra energy before the humid
days of summer begin. The fragrance of gardenias
from the vase beside my desk fills the room as I
look outside the window on plate-sized white
magnolia blossoms nestled in the green leaves of
the century old trees.
Having lived in
the south all of my life, I was feeling as rooted
to it as the old trees when suddenly out of the
corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a mother
swallow flopping down out of her porch cornice
nest. I thought she’d fallen, but instead
she swept quickly out of view to find more food
for her nest full of babies. She reminded me of
another spring morning when I was photographing
quietly in a bird rookery in Southern Florida.
With my camera in hand, I watched a Blue Heron
spread its wings, then sail silently down to
spear a fish. I remembered feeling there for one
brief, wonderful moment, the scene and its
message frozen in majesty for me. Suddenly the
birds, trees, wildflowers, ... even me, were
illuminated in a new light, and I realized what
an important part we all were of that glorious
visual banquet spread out around me that day. I
was awed by the beauty of nature that morning and
realized for the first time my kinship with all
that God had made.
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