It’s all about the birds and the bees and more…

It’s all about the birds and the bees and more...

The TBG Weston Family Library isn’t just about books and reading. From now until Dec. 23 you can view Life in the Undergrowth, a stunning photography exhibit of birds, bees and more…including butterflies, caterpillars and spiders…on its walls.

The photographers, Janet Davis and Max Skwarna, are both professional photographers and have each given workshops at the TBG. All of the bee pictures were taken in the TBG gardens by Janet, who is also a garden writer.

“I have been following the TBG’s honey bees, in particular, as a result of a story I did for Organic Gardening magazine a few years ago on urban beekeeping,” she told me. “I’ve shot the beekeepers at the TBG a number of times.  But my business card (that I had printed in 1997) also features a bumble bee on Echinacea, so I think you could say that ‘bees are me’.” You can see more of Janet’s work at www.beautifulbotany.com

While he makes a living photographing people, Max Skwarna spends much of his free time doing what he loves best – immersing himself in nature, “capturing the beauty that surrounds us.” Max conducts workshops on macro photography and bird photography. He also tends nature photography hikes. You can see more of his work at maxskwarna.com

The library offers three art shows a year says Knowledge Resources Manager Mark Stewart. “The exhibits all feature botanical related art. They enrich the space, giving it a refreshing flow and showcasing the library’s expanse beyond the scope of gardening.”

One of the three exhibits is work done by TBG students. The others, like the current one, feature a variety of local artists.

See Life in the Undergrowth for yourself. The library is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, noon to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Blog by Lorraine Hunter

Photos by Janet Davis and Max Skwarna