Esthetics

 From early experiences in nature, and in later travels, I was attracted to the natural landscapes and the plant communities composing them.  Thus, my scientific pursuits always had an esthetic dimension.  Biologists are generally very visually oriented, in contrast to most chemists and physicists, and I was no exception. I had an early interest in photography, inherited from my father, which was an important aid in my scientific research.  This included landscape-scale, macro and microscope photography.  In school, I studied art and had some excellent teachers. I took watercolor lessons as a teenager and made watercolor sketches during backpacking trips.  I always enjoyed seeing art, visiting galleries and museums, and later spending days in the Miami art fairs.  It was natural for me to turn to artistic expression when the scientific pursuits waned, moving into retirement.