The human eye/brain connection is truly a miraculous thing, enabling humans to see and perceive beauty, splendor, and majesty in the world around us. In his new photography collection-FROM DELICATE LILY PADS TO SCULPTURED PEAKS: Landscape Photography with Verse Impressions from North America, Scandinavia and New Zealand -William A. (Bill) Carlson offers us a marvelous opportunity to experience his perspective of "near perfection." Even if there were words to express the true definition of beauty one might discern in Nature, we couldn't come any closer to demonstrating that concept than what is given to us on these pages. The artist describes his experience in creating these images this way: "It is the development of a consciousness-of the sensitivity-of the environment that I attempt to capture in each photograph. I search for elements and patterns of simplicity, spaciousness and sensory response...the interplay of light and shadow." This collection of photography and verse is Bill's second book. The first-A Walk Through Mountain, Meadow, Marsh and Woodland-published in 2001, exhibits his talent and expertise in black & white photography. However, over 12,000 negatives and transparencies still reside in Bill's home inventory; thus the creation of this second book. The accompanying verse with each photograph or photo-grouping expresses the impact of the perception of the scene upon his senses. The phrasing may sometimes be spiritual, sometimes geological, sometimes whimsical, amusing, or sad, sometimes descriptive and perhaps sometimes making no sense at all, defying categorization. It is the impact upon the senses that I hope to convey to the reader, and to perhaps arouse within you, your own personal feelings and impressions. Bill Carlson's career in geology led him to photography. While performing field and management assignments for oil, mining and utility companies, he became cognizant of the intricate landforms and abstract