Environmental Horticulturist Andy Brand possesses an innate curiosity about the natural world. His passion drives him to closely observe every aspect of the outdoors—plants, insects, and their intricate processes. He also captures these moments with his camera, producing a wealth of stunning photographs that document his explorations.

These close-up observations are not just visually striking; they spark a cascade of inquiries about the life forms he encounters and the intricate workings of nature. In our recent conversation, we delved into the endless wonders of nature and the invaluable lessons they offer if we take the time to truly explore and appreciate them.

Andy, who dedicated many years to the esteemed rare plant nursery Broken Arrow in Connecticut, has been the Director of Horticulture at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens since 2018. His role involves overseeing the expansive garden scenes while also cherishing the minute details he shares on Instagram, including the delicate remnants of Hydrangea paniculata blossoms (as seen above).

He passionately encourages everyone to slow down, observe their surroundings, and share the enlightening moments they discover about nature throughout their journeys.

Plus: Join our community and enter to win one of Andy’s beautiful macro nature calendars, crafted by Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, by leaving a comment in the box at the bottom of the page.

To enrich your experience, you can listen to the Aug. 29, 2022 episode of my public-radio show and podcast through the player below. You can also subscribe to all future episodes on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Spotify, or Stitcher and browse my podcast archive here.

Engage with Nature: Explore the World Closely with Andy Brand

Margaret: The context of our conversation today stems from a successful collaboration on a recent story for “The New York Times,” which captured the public’s imagination. It revolved around your philosophy of observing closely, much like the stunning iPhone photographs you share on social media.

During that discussion, you expressed a desire to inspire others not merely through beautiful images but to ignite a passion for learning more about the natural world. You mentioned that when you observe something, your thoughts aren’t limited to, “Oh, look at that.” Instead, you ponder, “What was happening last season? How long do these creatures live?” [Laughter.] Could you elaborate on your process and what you’re experiencing in nature?

Andy: Absolutely! Since that article was published, I’ve received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from readers. Many have shared their own experiences, while others are now motivated to take their time and truly observe their surroundings when hiking or exploring the outdoors. For me, the journey isn’t about rushing from point A to B—it’s about immersing myself in the experience.

It’s astonishing how I can spend countless hours in just a three-quarter-acre field adjacent to my home and discover new and fascinating things each day. [Laughter.] Even the same insect can exhibit completely different behavior from one day to the next. I find myself needing to slow down and observe closely. For instance, I once noticed a butterfly positioned oddly on a flower. Upon closer inspection, I realized a spider had captured it [below].

Margaret: Wow.

Andy: This experience ignites my curiosity about the interconnectedness of nature. For example, we rely on spiders to maintain insect populations. Although many people have an aversion to spiders, they play a crucial role in our ecosystem.

Margaret: Absolutely. A spider expert I once consulted mentioned, “Without spiders, there could be no life on this planet.” They are vital for pest control and maintain a necessary balance in our environment.

Andy: Definitely.

Margaret: Even coming across a spider who has captured a butterfly leads you down a path of learning and curiosity, doesn’t it?

Andy: Yes, it’s an endless journey. Observing one creature often leads to noticing another activity happening in the vicinity. Your attention shifts, revealing more layers of the natural world.

Margaret: When we discussed the Times story, one fascinating aspect you shared was about the lifecycle of dragonflies. While we all see them fluttering around our gardens, they have a deep connection to water that many people overlook, right?

Andy: Indeed! Dragonflies spend a significant portion of their life cycle in water as nymphs. After reaching maturity, they crawl onto emergent vegetation or rocks, where they shed their exoskeletons in a process called molting. The resulting exuviae [above] is a captivating reminder of their transformative journey. I captured one of these exuviae perched on a cattail leaf, with the sunlight highlighting its intricate features, revealing the eyes and where the wings will develop. It’s truly mesmerizing to reflect on how this creature thrived in the water for months and then transformed into a graceful aerial predator, adept at controlling mosquito populations in my yard. [laughter]

Margaret: Exactly. It’s fascinating how they undergo this molting process, isn’t it?

Andy: It really is.

Margaret: Many insects go through different stages of metamorphosis, some with complete metamorphosis and others with fewer stages. I remember my first encounter with a Narceus americanus, a giant millipede here in the Northeast. I’ve always adored them for their long, segmented bodies adorned with tiny reddish markings. I was familiar with the adult version of this millipede.

However, one day I spotted a smaller version crawling up the side of my house. It looked so different that I was initially perplexed. Following your advice, I conducted some research and found that they look nearly identical throughout their life stages, but they molt as they mature and shed their exoskeletons, so what I saw was just a younger version [laughter]. It was like a miniature.

Andy: It’s utterly