The concept of beauty is a complicated one. Mathematicians often describe equations as beautiful, and brain scans show that their minds respond to these equations in the same way that other people might respond to great art or music.

 

"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere" - Vincent Van Gogh

 

Our ancestors attended Roman gladiatorial games, honored death in pilgrimages to Canterbury, and enjoyed days out at public executions.

 

Why are we attracted to tragedy and death? 

 

Some people might visit those places because they want to encounter death. I came across these Shearwater birds washed to shore on Macmasters beach in NSW, and seeing those birds I was completely amazed by the beauty of nature.The birds were likely washed out by strong winds, food shortages and exhaustion, as part of the natural balance.

 

These events, when Shearwaters wash to shore are called wrecks. They are on their return leg of a massive migration and are too tired or hungry to continue. The annual migration of shearwaters is about 15,000 kilometres long. They start in the Tasman Sea in April and don't make landfall until they reach their nesting grounds down south.

 

In the end, beauty is subjective and may be perceived differently by each individual.