We visited the Natural History Museum this morning. I’m normally not that interested in stuffed wild animals and even less interested in photographing them, but this one pulled me in by way of high drama. Perhaps my memories of the Field Museum, the Natural History Museum in New York City and others is faulty, but I don’t remember any of them being so focused on the basic dynamic of survival. The vast majority of the window displays captured a moment in which prey was either being pursued or consumed, complete with blood and guts. If there was no hunting going on, bird droppings were featured. I include some of the descriptions to give you the full effect of the constant tragedio of the natural world.
Y’know, that says something interesting about either Italy or the US, but I’m too groggy right now to come up with a clever way to limn it. It goes down the main street past the butcher shop with the skinned rabbits in the window and a clear view of beef carcasses behind the counter, and two guesses which country you’ll see that in.
But I didn’t know that about the museum displays, which is fascinating.
When have pets, we produce safe nature without tragedy for a little while….the way it was supposed to be before the original goofoffs…er…I mean original parents… sinned.