Hidden in the Light
Florida Museum of Natural History
Gainesville, Florida
When I moved from the mountains of Virginia to Florida in 2015, everything felt different. The landscapes I had always known were gone, and I found myself searching for places that felt familiar, even if they looked nothing like home.
One of those places became the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History. During one of my regular visits, I saw a Glasswing Butterfly resting among the flowers. Its wings were remarkable, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The butterfly seemed to disappear into its surroundings.
I sort of felt the same throughout many of the years I’ve lived in Florida, just wanting to disappear into the world around me. I think that's why this photograph has stayed with me all these years and was one of the first ones I went back to.
Sometimes, feeling at home is something that you can fix unless you plan to move back to the place that created that feeling for you. Being in nature has helped me to realize that home is not always a specific place. Home can be discovering a place that brings you peace, finding beauty where you least expect it, and realizing that even unfamiliar places can begin to feel like your own.
Behind the Lens
Location: Gainesville, Florida - Florida Museum of Natural History
Collection: Nature & Wildlife
Captured: October 2015
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T5i
Focal Length: EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM
Settings: 44 mm • f/5 • 1/60 sec • ISO 400
Bring this Story Home
This photograph is available as an archival fine art print and gallery-wrapped canvas
Each piece is professionally produced to order using museum-quality materials designed to preserve exceptional color and detail for years to come.

