POV: You are a caterpillar and you're getting your picture taken 🐛

I stumbled upon a photography account by the name of @vavaphotography owned by Varesh who is also this week's feature. From spiders, to nature, to caterpillars, it's all taken within our very own backyard. Have you ever just gone outside and snapped a pic? I just might do so in a moment and see what I can capture! Varesh starts us off by sharing a bit on what they've been enjoying as of recently "My friend just got me into making miniatures with her (specifically a tiny

chocolate shop and all that it entails), and it has been challenging but satisfying

to see it come together." That sounds pretty neat! Something can always come off challenging or even just the thought of doing something can be hard, but once you start putting time into it there's a moment when you think back on how you started. She continues by mentioning a couple of shout outs "My creative and artistic valley friends; Rozena, Ronnie, Sydney (aka @cambacat) and Celeste." I know @cambacat for sure! I've purchased some of their stickers and flyers before.

Now onto the photography! What can Varesh tell us about their photography style? "I like to use the natural light available in that moment, and to capture the essence of what I am able to see through the camera’s lenses; the beauty I am witness to. With that said, I am not sure what my photography style is!" When you look at the work provided it's like is she like standing close to her model or is it the lens? I like to think it's another lizard or another caterpillar just taking a snap shot of their homie in the moment! It's like when we see a caterpillar walking we tend to just see where it goes, but we don't usually see how it is up CLOSE especially with SPIDERS so thank you for your bravery, Varesh! She continues by mentioning the nature of her photographs "If I were to sum my nature photographs up: lively delights, peaceful moments." It truly is a moment capture within the RGV's backyard.

What does Varesh wish to capture with their photography? What does she look for behind the lens as she explains "Through my photos, I hope to offer a glimpse of the amazing little creatures that live among us, so we can better appreciate nature and the macro world. I hope that these photos bring intrigue and joy to the people who see them." It's funny because whenever I got to the Edinburg Wetlands & Birding Center I always want to take pictures of the lizards, but they zoom so fast! I appreciate them especially the heard of ducks just walking down the trail (I wish I took a picture of that, but I was just enjoying the moment) to the turtle plopping into the water. There was a bird A BIG bird that jumped down the tree and I was like WTF! I've never seen anything like it and I crept slowly to where it jumped down and it was gone. It's really interesting to see what "amazing little creatures live among us."

When it comes to the close ups of the insects/bugs is Varesh really that close or is the lens as she says "Sometimes my lens is merely half an inch away, and I’m pretty close by, probably arms stretched, body crouched, and posture askew." How can she be so close to the spiders like that! That's just crazy! Spiders can be so cool and pretty to look at, but man I don't know how Varesh does it. All for the love of the little creatures and their world.

Does Varesh have any favorite images taken? "I do have a couple of favorites, and each one comes with the attached memories. One of them is a photo of a resaca, from a winter evening spent with friends. To me it looks like a peaceful painting, and I love its warm colors. I find lizards delightful, so I’m biased towards my lizard photos as well." I can image that for sure. A resaca from a winter evening. I wonder if she ever just looks back at her images? Do you have an image you recently took that you enjoy? I have a picture of my first best friend. Chief. He was my first dog I ever had. He was with me for 17 years. I look back at those images and his old tree. Photos do truly come with memories as well.

What got Varesh interested in photography? How did she begin? as she explains "I received a little digital camera for my 10 th birthday, and I remember the moment I

grasped how incredible this tool was, when I noticed a preying mantis in the yard.

I had not paid attention to its tiny features until I got close and snapped some

photos. Looking at them afterwards, I realized there was this whole other tiny

world I knew nothing about. And that alien-like life forms exist plenty on earth. We

just need to look closer and explore further." I mean a praying mantis, beetles, spiders are just crazy! How they're shaped and how vastly different they are as well. From the horns of a beetle to the arms of a praying mantis along with it's eyes. The camera truly is an incredible tool! I recently got my camera about a year ago and it's been fun! I just got gifted a film camera and I'm excited to use that soon!

Where would Varesh say has been the best "backyard" she's experienced or is it just about anywhere? Is there a spot she really enjoys that allows her to capture nature?"Anywhere there is greenery, there is possibility for macro life! Sides of roads and walkways, a potted plant, a tree in a parking lot…I don’t have a particular spot I

like to go to, but I will always have a fondness for the beautiful UTRGV Edinburg

and Brownsville campuses since I spent a lot of time there as a student. Parks

and nature centers are great too." The entire RGV is her playground. Wherever she may be there will always be a tree or a potted plant. May there always be a model where she goes! The macro sized photo-shoots are endless!

From her experience, who has been the best model? Caterpillars, birds, or

lizards?? Lizards can be fantastic models. Some of them are flightier, but others allow you the privilege of coming up close. I think I annoy them sometimes (lizards give a great side eye), but I find their poses elegant and dignified.

I hope to one catch a photo of one at the wetlands before scaring it away!

What is it about nature that Varesh enjoys the most?

"Well I think that most humans are drawn to nature, we are a part of it after all.

There’s this concept of biophilia (a love of life, nature), which theorizes humans’

fascination with nature is innate.

Whatever our troubles or worries, the natural world keeps on going. Plants inch

upwards, flowers bloom, predator eats prey…life continues on the best it can.

Stopping for a moment and observing our environment can help ground us, ease

and quiet our minds, reflect on our own little lives."

She continues by sharing what she enjoys capturing the most about nature

"I love getting surprised by nature, and capturing that. Like jumping spiders and

dragonflies can be a variety of colors, and I get excited when I see a hue I haven’t

seen before. I also enjoy observing creatures’ behaviors in general." Ahhh "biophilia" now that's a new word for my vocabulary. That's super interesting. I do think it's important to just take a moment and venture out. You don't have to drive an hour away, but even just walk outside and take a moment to just take it all in. From the sounds, to what you might see, and even if there's a smell. Sometimes at work I'll step out and get in my car with the windows down especially when its just drizzled. I'll end up seeing a rainbow and I'm just like wow. If I would have just stayed inside for my break I would not have seen this. At work I have no windows. I'm just in a room so it's just what I need. The sun! The after drizzle smell! The colors of the sky! All of it!

How is Varesh not scared of taking pictures of spiders!?

"I think with most creatures, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.

I try not to disrupt their little lives, and so I feel like they tolerate me and my

camera. I am simply an observer, and I think they recognize I am not a threat.

I will say though, I am afraid of getting too close to wasps. Once they start staring

me down, I’m out of there." Okay okay a wasp is one thing in which I would simply just turn around haha, but that's what I tell myself also "if you don't bother them, they won't bother you" as I look at it and continue with my day. There was one time I saw a spider and I wanted to take a picture but when I turned around for 1 second it was completely out of SIGHT! We went our separate ways. It granted me mercy.

What would Varesh say has been the most fun exploring the backyards of

the RGV? "It’s all mostly fun! (minus the tired, hot and sweaty bit – and the mosquitoes) Once I was trying to take a picture of this insect I named Curious Bob (because he crawled onto my camera lens three times), and I did not notice I had disturbed some fire ants. Well soon I was jumping up and down and running to the nearest restroom to shake them all out…fun times." All in the name of capturing the beauty in the outsides of the RGV. Something not only Varesh will remember, but Curious Bob as well.

Varesh shares their thoughts on the local valley scene,

There are a lot of really cool artists and creatives out here, but they can be hard

to find. That’s why pages like Out In the 956 are so important.

Along with one final comment,

It’s the little things that can make a day bright, take a closer look at the wild

sunflowers, take a moment to look up, at the sky, at the trees, the birds. It can be

wildly hot in the summers, but there’s still a lot to appreciate.

We truly live on an amazing earth. Enjoy it now while we still can.