Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Press Release

ATLANTA—Colorful butterflies, shiny beetles and other insects are often hidden from view by their expansive environments. In the gallery exhibition Nature’s Jewels: Butterflies and Other Insects at Fernbank Museum of Natural History, all obstructions are left behind as visitors gain intimate access to more than 70 crisp, vibrant photographs of these intriguing creatures. The collection, by photographer Bill Harbin, will be on display from June 2—September 2, 2007.

Harbin, a practicing radiologist, captured the images in the southeastern United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama over the last three years. The photographs reflect the incredible diversity and color spectrum of insects in their natural habitats and allow visitors to witness their eccentric behaviors. Highlights include bright orange harlequin cabbage beetles perched on delicate leaves, an orange-barred sulphur butterfly hanging from a blossom and two mating common green darner dragonflies. Magnification provides a detailed look at the colorful bodies and unique features of insects, including translucent wings, ridged shells and striped antennae.

Harbin has made alternating between the indoor setting of his profession and the outdoor environment of his hobby a way of life. “I’ve always loved nature,” he said. “As a child I played in the forests and creeks around our house, as kids love to do.”

His love for nature photography began when his penchant for birding developed into a desire to examine other wildlife. With more to explore in nature beyond birds, he turned his attention to butterflies. Impulsively, he snapped a few pictures. “When I pulled them up on my computer I was blown away,” he said. “My life has not been the same since.”

Photographing living creatures in their natural environment requires both discipline and patience. “The average time that you have to capture a picture of a butterfly as it nectars is one to five seconds,” Harbin explained. Because they move so fast, being in a position amenable to snapping a picture in an instant is essential. Depending on the species, butterflies are easiest to find at nectar sources, dirt trails, and even in the deep woods. Often, he said, they can be found “hill-topping,” or congregating at the highest point in an area, looking for mates.

Sometimes, capturing one perfect shot means traipsing through the insects’ habitats for hours at a time. Photographing a pair of common green darner dragonflies was particularly memorable. “I saw them mating over a pond and chased them for two hours, wading through muck, before I could get the shot,” Harbin said.

In order to take a picture of a wasp in its nest, he had to get creative. “The nest was only three feet off the ground, and I crawled four feet in front of it and waited. They only pause when they’re doing repairs to the nest, otherwise they move so fast!” The resulting picture—where the wasp seems to stare straight into the camera lens—was worth the wait.

 “This exhibition provides Museum visitors with a glimpse into the wonderfully intricate world of insects that few get close enough to see,” said Susan Dunn, Fernbank’s Environmental Science Educator.  “The colors and details in the photographs highlight the incredible beauty and unique features that insects almost magically possess.  Hopefully, this exhibit will inspire a greater appreciation of these delicate and often misunderstood creatures.”

Fernbank Museum is located at 767 Clifton Road. Nature’s Jewels: Butterflies and Other Insects is included with Museum admission and parking is free. Admission is $13 for adults, $12 for students/seniors, and $11 for children 12 and under. For more information call 404.929.6300 or visit www.fernbankmuseum.org.

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About the Artist

Bill Harbin grew up in Rome, Georgia, and majored in botany at Vanderbilt University, where he also attended medical school. He has been a practicing physician for almost 30 years. His photography received numerous awards in 2006, including High Honors from Nature’s Best Magazine, an honorable mention from the National Wildlife Federation, and a place in the Top 100 Showcase Competition from the North American Nature Photography Association. Harbin has previously exhibited his photography at the Moon Gallery at Berry College.

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