Finding insights into humanity through nature

MILLBROOK — Naturalist and herpetologist Harry Greene presented a program at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies on Friday, Sept. 30. He discussed his book, “Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology as Art.”

He opened his presentation with one of his a favorite quotes, from the novel “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry: “The earth is mostly just a boneyard, but pretty in sunlight.” 

He showed slides of some beautiful but deadly animals, and talked at length about observing nature and how that impacts the observer, and he peppered his talk with quotes and philosophy. For example, he shared this quote from the poet Robinson Jeffers: “Organic wholeness of life and things, the divine beauty of the universe — love that, not man … or drown in despair when his days darken.”

Greene has lived in and worked on all of the continents of the world except Australia. He has a particular fondness for Africa.

“My primary conceptual interests are behavioral evolution, community ecology and conservation biology,” he said. 

He studies mammals, lizards and snakes — particularly vipers. One slide in his presentation showed a magnificent looking snake, which turned out to be a very deadly pit viper. 

He also showed slides of frogs, one of which carries thousands of eggs in a sack just under the skin on its back. When tadpoles, they follow the female frog through the water, looking something like a cloud behind her. If attacked by a predator, they disburse, but then the mother rounds them up and leads them to safety.

Greene talked about his book, “Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology as Art.” The book is partly autobiographical, but is also about the wonder of snakes and the joy of studying them. 

“The importance of sharing the love of nature with humanity” is critical to Greene.

He elaborated on that idea by quoting the philosopher Immanuel Kant, who said, “There are two kinds of finer feeling: the feeling of the sublime and the feeling of the beautiful.”

He explained that“Kant gives examples of these pleasant feelings. Some of his examples of feelings of the beautiful are the sight of flower beds, grazing flocks and daylight. Feelings of the sublime are the result of seeing mountain peaks, raging storms and night.”

The schedule of events at The Cary Institute is online at www.caryinstitute.com.