Up Front

Without question, one of the most popular parts of the magazine for our readers is the amazing photography that captures Missouri’s beautiful flora, fauna, and landscapes. This month’s issue is all about capturing experiences of awe and sharing it. Awe, or the overview effect, is a profound emotional experience that arises when encountering the vastness and beauty of the natural world. The sense of awe has been used to describe the experience of astronauts when viewing earth from space. This sense of awe can come from the vastness of a landscape, the colors from a setting sun, the intricate details of steam from a blue jay’s beak captured with a camera (see Page 13), or the intent stare of an owl in flight. Photos of hunting, fishing, and time in the outdoors adorn Missouri homes and offices. Freezing the moment allows us to save the awe. 

This experience connects us to something greater than ourselves as we reflect on our place in the world and develop a greater appreciation for nature. As has been discussed in previous columns, nature provides so many benefits, not the least of which is to our physical and mental well-being. There is a growing body of research suggesting the experience of awe is the key driver of the emotional benefits. Personally, time in the outdoors is critical to my mental well-being, which is captured in this recent youth waterfowl hunt with my son, the awe forever captured in this photo.

Jason Sumners, Director

JASON.SUMNERS@MDC.MO.GOV