It isn't too late to catch a glimpse of freelance photographer Ras Mykkal's naturistic exhibit 'Seeing the Unseen' at the Botanical Garden's Visitor's Centre.

Originally a three day show in the Botanical Garden's Horticulture Hall, the display was held over for the month of June as requested by the Visitor's Centre manager Lyn Vaughan, and has even surpassed that period. She said: "There's no problem with it staying up indefinitely. There is no time limit at the moment."

After receiving a $6,000 Environmental Award in December of 2005 Ras Mykkal went on to capture some of the most magnificent and minuscule aspects of Bermuda's small creatures - 38 of which are on display.

One may wonder what sparked this well known sports photographer's interest in nature photography. Though it was originally the suggestion of the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Mykkal said: "I'm a person that, once I accomplish something, I like to move on to something different to keep my interest."

He has always been interested in the environment and likes the challenge."I'm just looking to master another area; find out what caterpillar turns into what butterfly and there are so many different kinds of bird nests. It's just interesting learning how different creatures have different habits."

He added: "Photography is very broad. There are so many areas that you could master a few and some of them just don't interest you."

Mr. Mykkal said this experience has been an interesting opportunity for him to enjoy the simple things in life.

"We don't take time to see things around us: to relax while

"As a people we need to learn to enjoy life. Just by taking a slow walk to look and observe could keep our stress levels low."

He suggested: "Look really closely at a flower and observe all the intricate details."

The posters on display in 'Seeing the Unseen' range in sizes from16 inches by 24 inches to 24 inches by 36 inches ? all of which are on sale to the public for prices between $250 and $400. "If people want to, they can purchase and take them right off the wall."

Proceeds will go towards Care Computer Services and the medical expenses of Yuseff Bremar, who was left paralysed from the neck down after a rotten tree tipped over and fell on him over a year ago.

"I think medical expenses and education are two good things you could help people with and if I can help students with getting their GED, something I don't have, then I will."

This beautiful selection of photographs, which includes long tails, bluebirds and monarch butterflies, did not come easily. In fact it required six months of preparation. "A lot of studying goes into it, such as internet research."

Nor did it come quickly. "Nature operates on its own timetable. It's just a matter of being patient and waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. It helps that I enjoy what I'm doing."

Mr. Mykkal explained some of the techniques he used in order to get the perfect shot. "I have a wireless remote for my camera which allows me to get close to a bird's nest," he revealed.

"The camera is put on a tripod which has a wireless shutter release device that connects to the camera and is operated by remote control."

Then he watches the nests' activity from a distance. "You can't get too close to them, they're (the birds) very territorial," he warns.

One very detailed poster in the exhibit, called 'Lifecycle of the Monarch Butterfly', includes several stages in this nymph of nature's lifecycle - from the pinhead-sized egg to the fully grown insect.

Another photographing process, involving a butterfly species that is not as readily available as the monarch, required him to create a make shift environment.

And so he did. "I bought a fish tank and covered the bottom with dirt, putting caterpillars inside with the food that they feed on. I also put a couple of branches in the tank enabling the caterpillars to climb on them and go into a cocoon."

During this process he also studied the time it takes for the caterpillars to go through different stages.

Mr. Mykkal also made good use of the Botanical Garden's Butterfly Garden. "Everyone - the Minister Neletha Butterfield, the workers in the Parks Department, - were very knowledgeable and helpful."

The photographer is catching the high season of all the action. "Spring and summer - this is the time birds are building nests and raising young."

Though 'Seeing the Unseen', has served as a good educational resource for school children, the sales have been rather disappointing. Mr. Mykkal said: "I'm not in a position to give what I thought I could." Will he do another exhibit of the sort?

"A lot has to do with public support. As the posters sell I can just keep replacing." He said television coverage would be very beneficial. "Sometimes people have to see things in order to generate their interest."

When asked if there is one poster that he cherishes the most Mr. Mykkal said, "out of all the photos in the exhibit, I am particularly proud of the photograph of the bluebird with a worm in its mouth."

Speaking of bluebirds, he is disgusted to see in the news lately that people have been destroying our local blue bird boxes. "Just recently someone actually removed baby bluebirds out of the their box - they would've almost been ready to fly."

Mr. Mykkal, who has been a professional photographer for ten years, said one of his ultimate dreams is to do "an African Safari to photograph the crocodiles, the African alligator, the hippopotamus and the lion. ? the ultimate wildlife."

He said: "Every photographer's dream is the ultimate photograph.

That one photograph that is his ultimate accomplishment and when you get what you think is your ultimate photograph you'll try and out do that."

About this most recent venture, he stated: "I'm having a ball. I have discovered that I haven't finished learning. You're never too old to learn.

"My motto: Commitment to excellence. Substandard is not good enough."